Selectors must question rights of the regulars (14 June 1999)

14 June 1999

Selectors must question rights of the regulars

Mark Nicholas

Very soon we shall know the men chosen to lead England's cricket team into the next century. David Lloyd is already out to grass and apparently Alec Stewart's days are numbered.

It is a perpetual merry-go-round, spun by the lack of success which further jeopardises the popularity of an already-unsettled game. Until there is a culture for cricket in this country again, until that culture applies to schools of all grades at all levels, it is unlikely that the national team will noticeably improve.

The most interesting move that the selectors could make is in the selection of that team, rather than its generals. We have the players we have, they are a fait accompli. In the main the best of them are regularly selected. Sticking with them is obvious, loyal - though there is not a great deal to be loyal about - and will avoid controversy.

Choosing half or more of a new young team to play alongside Nasser Hussain, Mark Ramprakash, Graham Thorpe, Darren Gough and maybe Alan Mullally, is more brave and more relevant. Young cricketers have an unconditional hunger and are not tainted by previous failure. Much as the present group of players hate to hear it, they are insular because of their tendency to close ranks when criticised.

I doubt if England do not enjoy playing, or that money is their sole motivation, but the suggestion is enough to further feed the mistrust. There is, as they say, no smoke without fire and what is certain is that any team who frequently let themselves down are unlikely to smile about it. The thing that infuriates onlookers is that there is no brightness in the team's approach, no obviously broad or inquisitive minds, no hint that any other point of view may be worth a look. The general view of the current players is that they are surprisingly immature. It is difficult to argue against this, which then becomes a good reason to replace some of the personnel.

It is also a reason why the selectors should look beyond the incumbents for their captain and why The Management committee should go outside the domestic game for the coach.

The scars of a depressing decade are littered all over English cricket. The arrogance which has long driven the administration has hindered the need to embrace the new orders of the game and, despite recent progress, detailed planning and original initiatives are not bywords of the game in this country.

Therefore, the coach must come from elsewhere and only two people are up to it. Bob Woolmer's enthusiasm for the game and for the exploration of technique and innovation make him a fascinating option. He is most proud to have influenced the way in which the cricketers of South Africa now talk with love and respect of the game. If he could get England doing that . . .

Duncan Fletcher's straight talking, up-front honesty and a shrewd understanding of the mental requirements for top-level cricket make him a different style of coach to Woolmer. He was revered in his days as captain of Zimbabwe - remember they beat Australia in the 1983 World Cup and came within a millimetre of beating India, the eventual winners. Glamorgan won the championship under his guidance and the Western Province players speak warmly of his friendship and down-to-earth appraisals.

Desmond Haynes, hardly a soft touch himself, who played in Cape Town for three seasons, is certain that Fletcher should be England's man.

The captaincy is more tricky. Hussain has it in him tactically and Ramprakash has fast become the man-manager that his detractors doubted he could be. Both are sure to play in the present team, a plus-point perhaps, but both have been part of the past team which is an overriding minus. Leadership is crucial. Contrary to a prevalent modern idea, leadership sets standards, tone and attitude. Mark Taylor and Hansie Cronje have proposed and then conveyed the fine image of their teams. Think how Wasim Akram makes something of Pakistan.

The standard of English batting in general does not prevent many of the best county players from being worth a place in the national team. Proof of this comes with the performances by Roger Twose for New Zealand. He was barely acknowledged by English selectors, but has shone for his adopted country.

David Byas leads Yorkshire with attention to detail and discipline and his players are beginning to fulfil themselves, easing away those ghosts of the past. Robin Smith leads Hampshire with emotional commitment and is rewarded by players who would cross the proverbial desert if he asked them. Chris Adams has brought spark and no little muscle to Sussex cricket, which had become a soft touch. These men could comfortably bat for England at No 6 or better. England must introduce a new guard. We would all be refreshed if it were done.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph