Former Australia cricket Greg Chappell has named the systemic shortcomings as the reason behind England’s decline in the Test format. His comments come after England conceded the Ashes at the earliest juncture, losing the first three Tests by comprehensive margin.
While the led to questions over Joe Root’s captaincy, Chappell gave the England skipper a clean chit, stating that his removal or resignation will not even make “an iota of difference”, while reckoning that English cricket need a system overhaul and need to answer whether they wish to succeed in Test cricket or continue focussing on “box office” white-ball cricket.
"There is not much point blaming the hapless Joe Root for all the ills of English cricket. His resignation or sacking will not make an iota of difference to the quality or quantum of players available or worthy of Test honors," Chappell wrote in his column for The Age.
"Instead, England have to take a long, hard look at their structure and decide whether they want to excel at the long form of our game or merely delight in the gimmickry and shenanigans of their various short-form circuses, supposedly catering to the box office."
"The current English team is a result and reflection of the shortcomings of its system. The ECB has to acknowledge that and start remedial action. Failure is not an option. The country that invented cricket cannot languish anymore and be its widely scorned, perennial underperformers. The English public deserves much better of its cricket board," he added.
With Australia having taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, England have only pride to play for in the encounters in Sydney and Hobart.