Quite a lot of the people we've brought in

Have played well in patches and then deteriorated.

This is not a 'what do they do in traynun' complaint, but you regularly hear them saying that they have been told "don't worry... Express yourself... "

Sure, there's a balance between coaching the instinct out of players and preparing them for the team they're playing, but the recurring pattern suggests to me that the backroom guys aren't getting the balance right between keeping the players morale up and offering the tweaks that they'll need to counter the oppo's bowlers plans that have been worked up once they've played some matches and been analysed.

It also reflects the deterioration of the established players in the team.

This also impacts on the psychological side too - most of the top order don't look like they're enjoying playing, including Root.

Huge amount of guesswork from me naturally - just think that seeing the same pattern happen over and over and over can't wholly be laid at the players (tho maybe the selectors) or the prevalence of short form cricket. The national set up could still help support players in changing formats and having a clear plan of who plays what role, but their squad planning is utterly shambolic and it feels like that might echo through the backroom preparation.

Posted By: Cardiff Canary, Aug 16, 17:15:30