Let's not fool ourselves. England lost the Ashes because the Australians were better.

But have Australia been better for so long because of their club cricket system: A system that feeds through the grades to State and Test level in a clear path?

Is there a cultural barrier to this in the UK that will forever hold the English back?

2 Different Games of Cricket

In England the elite game is well organised with millions of pounds poured into facilities and coaching. Young players tend to bypass the club game to go straight to county cricket.

As a result there are two virtually separate games played. County players rarely play at club level and good club players rarely move up. Late bloomers are lost to the game if they are not showing potential as a teenager.

For England to compete this gap needs to be closed and clubs must raise their standards. How can they do this?

How to Change Club Cricket for the Better

• Club Coaches. A coach keeps a team on track and helps players improve. But clubs tend to only have coaches for youth teams. Senior teams are left to fend for themselves. Why not use the skills and resources of the many ex-players and highly qualified coaches in the game?
• Training. Clubs don't train much and when they do it's not well organised. Club players are never going to get to the highest standard if there is no training. The ideal (according to coaching science) is 4 practice sessions a week (you read that right). While time is clearly an issue, some players manage 4 games a week so why not training instead?
• 2 Day Games. Club games are played in an afternoon, usually with a declaration/limited over hybrid. This is far removed from the next step up where 4 day games are the norm. There is nothing to stop top club leagues changing to a 2 day, 2 innings format played either over a weekend or on consecutive Saturdays. It's closer to the real deal, involves more of the team and makes games more competitive because there are less played.
• Overseas Players. Good overseas players at clubs are blessings, they can coach brilliantly and act as inspiration. Care must be taken though. Top players can dominate with the bat and ball every week (especially in a one-day format). The more non-qualified players, the less chances for developing players. The fact is, there are currently too many average overseas players taking those places at every level.

Most importantly, one factor overarches all this practical aspects, and could well stop any of them taking place.

Culture

England is a sporting country that has gone from the 'amateur spirit' of old into celebrity obsession of tabloid.

Professionalism, training, practice and giving everything to the win (in the Australian way) are seen as a bit unseemly and totally unglamorous: It's not quite cricket old chap.

While this is the attitude that pervades the committees of leagues and club around the country then what chance does the ECB have of making these things happen?

And without them, what are the long-term chances of England getting back the Ashes?

Hopefully this blog is doing its small part to help change that attitude.