Woodster
International Captain
As soon as a nation gets to number 1 in the World Rankings it is taken as a given that their structure is the blueprint for guaranteed success. Not necessarily the case, and in domestic cricket in England there are so many other factors hindering our progress.
For example, it is no secret that we play far too much cricket, resulting in lower intensity matches, players not being able to play flat out due the schedules, practice taking a hit because there simply is not enough time on the training ground to iron out any flaws, instead these deficiencies are persevered with until the end of the season.
The split into two divisions was in theory to get the best sides playing the best sides, obviously there are top players playing in division two, but the intensity and competition has increased. Unfortunately as a result of the divsion split, division one teams are far more likely to not risk losing a game in order to win one, result - far too many draws, as sides fear relegation. Skippers need to be braver (Easier said than done) and be more positive in their decision making in order to get more wins.
Some pitches will never lend themselves to helping win the home side the title as it is seemingly impossible to win a match over four days on such flat, lifeless tracks, and can make for pretty dull cricket.
These few points are far more pressing issues to resolve rather than a full scale re-vamp of English cricket, which I can never see happening anyway.
For example, it is no secret that we play far too much cricket, resulting in lower intensity matches, players not being able to play flat out due the schedules, practice taking a hit because there simply is not enough time on the training ground to iron out any flaws, instead these deficiencies are persevered with until the end of the season.
The split into two divisions was in theory to get the best sides playing the best sides, obviously there are top players playing in division two, but the intensity and competition has increased. Unfortunately as a result of the divsion split, division one teams are far more likely to not risk losing a game in order to win one, result - far too many draws, as sides fear relegation. Skippers need to be braver (Easier said than done) and be more positive in their decision making in order to get more wins.
Some pitches will never lend themselves to helping win the home side the title as it is seemingly impossible to win a match over four days on such flat, lifeless tracks, and can make for pretty dull cricket.
These few points are far more pressing issues to resolve rather than a full scale re-vamp of English cricket, which I can never see happening anyway.