2015 was a very odd Ashes. When the ball swung significantly England won. When the ball didn't swing for long periods Australia compiled heavy first innings scores and won as a result of scoreboard pressure.

Only 6 batters (Root, Rogers, Warner, Smith, Cook and Ali) averaged over 30 in the series. Cook and Rogers are Test match specialists, Warner adapted his method during the series, Smith and Root swapped over as World number one batters and there is a good chance that England's number 8 in this series will open the batting in the next one!

Other than these players, there were a lot of "walking wickets" on show in the series. Especially when either side got the ball to move laterally. As coaches, we have a huge role to play in the development of cricketers who have the skills to cope with balls that swerve in and out and also deck off of the pitch.

This comes in the technical wisdom that we impart on the players and also in the way that we expose the batters to tough conditions and to swinging balls.

Technically, when the ball swings, the feet have a tendency not to move.

Jos Buttler showed this in the last couple of test matches. His only method was to try and save himself with his excellent hand to eye coordination. But even that wasn't enough in tough batting conditions.

So what could Jos do to prepare himself for lateral moving conditions in the future?

1. Jos lost the battle of his 4th and 5th stump this series. As a result, averaged only 15. He needs to work what line and lengths he can leave and which he can play.
2. David Warner made an adaptation in his set up over the course of the series to counteract Stuart Broad's round the wicket away swing. Warner moved his stance across so that he was aligned with his off stump and covered it. Anything outside of the line of his eyes he left or attacked dependent on length. He simplified his game and made Broad and co work harder for his wicket. Warner averaged 46 and it could have been so much more if he had converted one of his 5 half-century's into a ton.
3. Jos could experiment with this approach in the nets to see if it works for him. This approach could help him to win the 4th and 5th stump battle more regularly in lateral moving conditions.
4. Buttler likes to take the ball early when he is dominating, it's one of his points of difference as a batter. However, this does not always work when the ball moves around at pace. Jos needs to practice to hit the ball slightly later and it was good to see him aiming back down the ground more often in his 44 at the Oval. Graham Gooch talks of playing late and straight when the ball moves laterally and they would be wise words for Jos to hear.
5. Personally I would like to see more flexion in Jos's knees in his set up, this would help him to move his feet more effectively. With more weight loading his feet he would be able to propel himself forward or back. Pushing off, rather than leaning in has always worked better for Buttler.
6. Buttler now needs more exposure to lateral moving types of practice if he is to do well against the best attacks in other world in the longest format.
7. Practice against perfectly shined swinging balls.
8. Practice against the best bowlers
9. Have a real focus on how and what he is aiming to achieve.
10. Be clear on what success looks like in those conditions and in that type of practice.

Can these Ashes batting woes help you as a coach or as a player? Do you have similar players in your team?