england cricket on the front foot
It doesn’t seem that long ago when our cricketers were the laughing stock of the cricketing world and seemed barely able to compete against the minnows of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Fast forward about a dozen years and following the brutal humiliation of India we’re now the best in the world. Where did that come from?
Somewhat ironically following his appointment to the senior role in Indian test cricket, the transformation probably began with the appointment of Duncan Fletcher as coach. The dogmatic and blunt Fletcher undoubtedly saw himself as cricketing’s answer to Clive Woodward. Out went lazy and non-committed players such as the loveable, but ultimately under-performing, Phil Tufnell, whose idea of training was to light up another Marlboro. Big-hitting and charismatic Andrew Flintoff realised his boozy days of cracking open a cold one mid-game were long gone. Player power, personified by the vain and petulant Pietersen, was stamped on under the vestiges of there being no ‘I’ in team. In came central contracts, performance analysts, sports scientists, state-of-the-art training equipment and an attention to detail not previously seen.
The current incumbent, Andy Flower, has continued where Fletcher left off. His choice of captain, Andrew Strauss, is ‘team’ personified and is committed to the highest of standards for both himself and all those around him. And in terms of minutiae get this – shining the ball between deliveries (to help the ball swing and move) is always done by Alastair Cook. Why? Because he has the least sweaty palms and the salt in sweat interferes with the polishing process. Clive Woodward should be proud!
