How to fix a problem like England cricket

After a very poor, but expected winter performance, yet again we find ourselves discussing the state of English cricket.

We must do this now, because we will likely beat Pakistan and India and everything will be rosy again. (Cocky, but being honest).

And in there lies the problem. The game is becoming very driven by home advantage. This is happening across the board, though its fair to say that Englands recent away performances have been as bad as I can remember.

The answer to this away issue? I don't know...Nothing will be done - However, for the love of the game maybe away teams should have an automatic choice of batting or bowling (Kind of similar but more extreme that what happens in the County Championship). This will surely ensure home teams prepare more neutral pitches.

In terms of England and where we go, its natural and always the case in any sport that the set up and grass roots come into question. In this instance, I feel we produce the players but the conditions in this country (Oval and Taunton the exceptions) are suitable most of the season for late 70mph plodders like Rushworth, Magoffin and TRJ.

This can work in England as the majority of our Test venues and conditions suit. However, as soon as we hit those less volatile pitches in the sub and Australia - We are completely found out.

We must stop being lazy. Whether there is something the ECB can do to promote the use of fast bowlers - Maybe additional incentives? I would much rather see Middlesex bowling Helm instead of Berg or Kent bowling a young speedster instead of Darren Stevens. No offence to those fine cricketers, but internationally they would not make it.

Last season we saw Coad and Porter destroy Division 1 batting line ups - Neither barely bowls over 80mph.

The other problem we have is keeping our fast bowlers fit. Jamie Overton has long been the most impressive for me. Olly Stone is another - Always injured. We all know about Wood's injuries. Again, no answer to give, however for me England need to call time on these slower bowlers and fast-track the likes of Garton, Tongue and Helm whilst also doing all they can to get Joffra Archer in the mix sooner that 2022.

Spin is our other obvious issue. Ali is someone I have never really rated - Though I respect his all round game and embrace his standing as a proud Englishman and Muslim in this team. We must persevere with Leach who has been the stand out spinner and at 26 is still young. Close behind you have Bess and Crane and behind them Parkinson at Lancashire. These lads are talented and many are playing at spin friendly grounds which will help them in the sub conditions. When I hear suggestions of playing Samit Patel instead of a genuine spin option, I just cannot understand the logic.

A lot of pressure should be drawn at Strauss, who is a winner as a player but in my view has sacrified the Test game to improve our ODI fortunes. In that respect it has worked. We are superb in ODI/T20 and if we can, should look to keep Bayliss to manage this format.

Test wise, regardless of Bayliss' claims that the Test cupboard is empty, it is clear he oversaw Ali, Vince and Stoneman. His job is to identify players for Test cricket (Bell-Drummond for example is a fine batsman against pace). The problem is Bayliss has no knowledge of the County game and we missed a chance last summer to blood some of these talented young lads - Instead going for the boring tried and tested home performers like TRJ and Woakes.

I would have at the time gone for Jason Gillespie and still think he is the right Test Coach for England now. I know he has started at Sussex but he is an excellent man manager. He would get more from these players than Bayliss who is more of a hands on coach not too dissimilar from Moores. Gillespie also know the County scene well.

With no obvious candidates to come in, now is the time to use logic. Stoneman and Vince have had more than enough changes. At 30, Stoneman isn't going to grow and technically doesn't look bad - But nothing special. Vince does have something, but I would see if he can score big for the Lions and Hampshire first.

I am not convinced by Malan, who struggles (as many do) against the moving ball.

I would like to see us go with this team. I was tempted to move Bairstow to 4 and use Ben Foakes as keeper - However, have gone with the following:

1: Cook
2: Gubbins
3: Hameed
4: Root (C)
5: Clarke
6: Stokes
7: Bairstow (WK)
8: Wood
9: Broad
10: Leach
11: Anderson

Squad:
Bats: Vince, Livingstone, Lawrence, Hain
Keeper: Foakes
Bowlers: J. Overton, Garton, Helm, Tongue, C. Overton, S. Curran
Spin: Crane, Bess