10 Ways England Can Get The Ashes Back

3. Financial Rewards For 100s And 5 Wicket Hauls

One of the reasons why England lost the Ashes is a lack of hunger in the players for another Ashes series so soon after the last. That's not to say the batsmen didn't try to score runs, or the bowlers didn't try to take wickets, but they lacked the desire or edge of their Australian counterparts. There is more than one way to motivate a player when he's out of nick - and direct financial incentives may be the answer. This will be one of the more controversial suggestions, since England players earn pretty good money at the moment, not to mention sponsorship deals from kit manufacturers and drinks companies. But with players being tempted by the high, fast wages of the IPL, it's something that could be trialled. Pay each batsman or bowler their standard wage, but boost it by a certain amount or a fixed percentage if they score a hundred or take five wickets in a match. This fosters and consolidates both a desire for success in the team and a bit of friendly competition between the players, which will boost their performance on the field. Fast bowlers bowl at their best when worked up, batsman play best when they have a clear goal in mind, and fielders are most on their toes when they know the importance of a given catch or run-out. It may be cynical to expect that paying someone more money will improve performance, and the sums would have to add up so that ticket prices don't soar. But with the right system in place, this could yield many dividends - and not just for the players.