Where will England go from here?

Today, new writer Sean Higgins goes where our average writers have so far been afraid to go. Yes folks, it’s time to start our ashes autopsy…

Another embarrassing defeat, while disappointing, should come as no surprise to even the most loyal England supporters. After being devastated, it’s only natural to blame coaches, captains, selection, lack of preparation, county cricket, the Covid bubble, and even England’s cricket calendar. Of course, all of this deserves judicious analysis, and there may be some benefit to an independent review of a top-notch setup and requirements for international cricketers.

However, some of these problems have been around for a while and England still managed to win the Test. It is right to critically evaluate the leadership of a team when there is a period of failure and chronically poor results. It was clear that when Chris Silverwood succeeded Trevor Bayliss, there was a paradigm shift in the approach of the head coach.

Bellis wanted batsmen with positive intentions to put pressure on bowlers, and Silverwood said early in his tenure: “One of the things we’re looking at is building a batting group that can be long-term. Hit the ball, stack the runs and put pressure on the opposition. It sounds corny, but we have to recognize it.”

This change in focus has changed the DNA of England’s testing team. Running out of deliveries becomes critical even if the scoreboard has nowhere to go. According to Chris Silverwood, Joe Root is aligned with this policy. The new coach has also publicly declared from the start that regaining the Ashes is his goal.

However, the perception that England should start planning to beat Australia by taking this conservative approach is puzzling. Ask any former player who won the Ashes in Australia the blueprint for success, and they’ll tell you, start with attitude; in other words, take the game to Australia and try to dominate.

Choosing opening hitters obsessed with crease occupation is flawed, and the results consistently prove it. The unorthodox techniques of Burns and Sibley, longtime incumbents leading Ashes, complicate matters. Replacing Sibley with Hameed only creates another problem. While his tech looks more solid, he’s another cloned stonewall blocker, but his supposedly flimsy demeanor doesn’t stand up to the harsh realities of the Ashes series. The coach’s “vision” thus becomes blurred.

Unfortunately, this long-term batting determination seems to confuse middle-class minds, especially Crowley and Pope, two of the most talented young hitters. Seeing their soft dismissal is as disappointing as anything else. It smells of indecision and a lack of confidence in their ability to put Australia under pressure. They are two talented players who are expected to score a lot for England. They have more opportunities to do so in an environment that leverages and encourages their self-expression as an attacking hitter.

With the Ashes surrendering so meekly, the Australians mocked our cricket team. It’s not a nice feeling. England have revolutionized their approach, revolutionized their one-day game, and at Trevor Bayliss, there is a coach who has instilled a fearless approach.

Of course, it’s easier to introduce this attitude into white-ball cricket, but the principle still applies. Cricket in England needs to change and it has to start with the leaders. Chris Silverwood is a good guy, but his strategy keeps failing and it’s time to reset. Joe Root is the best hitter we have but despite his admirable desire to move on, removing him as captain will likely see him elevate his game to another level while his best years continue. Instead, I’d give the captaincy to a fighter like Jonny Ballstow, who’s been screwed over the past few years. He wants gloves so give them to him and hit the ball at 7 and he has tasted great success. The Butler experiment must end.

As for the new coach, we need someone with experience and technical knowledge – someone who has played at the highest level, exudes confidence and has the ability to elevate others. Imagine a person who embodies all these characteristics, but the underlying message is clear, maybe it’s a utopian dream. Now is the time for another paradigm shift.

Sean Higgins

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