10 Ways England Can Get The Ashes Back

9. A Change Of Management

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvwKDZi0qqA Many older commentators latch onto the abundance of management that surrounds the modern England team, with the likes of Geoffrey Boycott claiming that having so many coaches prevents modern players from thinking for themselves. While the jury is still out on that, and will be for some time, it's clear that the current England management are no longer capable of taking the team forward, either in technical assistance or in terms of motivation. No-one is denying their achievements before this year, but the time has come for new blood. For my money, Graham Gooch should be the first to go. Gooch was a prolific run-scorer for England in his time, and he has done some valuable work with the batting line-up, particularly in getting Kevin Pietersen to play straighter. But Gooch also has a reputation from his playing days as a slave-driver, who insisted on training so ardently as captain than people hated playing under him. If he can't loosen up, he should be replaced with someone who has a better sense of humour (sadly, David Gower won't be in the running). David Saker, the England bowling coach, should also be looked at long and hard. As before, he's done great work for the side, and James Anderson has thrived under his tutelage. But like much of the England set-up, Saker seems more concerned with not conceding runs than with taking wickets, meaning that naturally quick but expensive bowlers like Steven Finn have been held back or overlooked. He may still have something to offer, but he needs to deliver soon. As for Andy Flower, getting rid of him straight away would be difficult. The ECB has already expressed their confidence in him, and it seems fruitless to fire him after all the measures put in place to ease the burden on him (e.g. having Ashley Giles as one-day coach). He also has a good record as a coach against India, so with M. S. Dhoni's side coming to play five tests this summer, it makes sense to hold onto him for now. But like Gooch, Flower needs to demonstrate a new-found flexibility and sense of humour. If he can't find it, he must step aside and let another try his luck.