Rotation is one of the many commonly used cricketing terms. But what is it exactly?

[Abdullah719]

Thanks to [MENTION=147774]unemployedgm[/MENTION] for another super write-up.


What is Rotation?

Rotation is one of the many commonly used words in the boring world of cricket vernacular. When captains, coaches, and selectors want to justify a decision that makes absolutely no sense they turn to Rotation. It is one of many tactics of self-preservation used by decision-makers.

Like the word FORM, I view the word Rotation to be an absolute farce. A better and more coherent approach in my opinion is best expressed by the phrase Strategic Integration. Strategic Integration considers a wide array of factors in the constant evolution of building a team. It is a key component in the Team Development Life Cycle. In my opinion, it is directly related to Player Development. How does it work?

A Good Selector, a Good Captain, and a Good Coach have a solid strategic foundation and a coherent short-term and long-term strategy. They have a Base XI and a Base Squad for every format. That Base XI gives the team the best chance to win in every possible situation. Beyond that Base XI, the decision-makers know exactly how they are going to manipulate the squad if a series of factors arise, either forced or by choice. These decisions are not reckless incongruent whims of an individual. Instead they are rational decisions that keep in mind a hierarchy of factors. They are congruent with a series of past, present, and future decisions. These Factors Are:

1. Injury: Injury represents a great opportunity to integrate a new player. Although that seems obvious, the integration process of the replacement lacks coherence. It is considered a burden or a weakness when it should be a strength and an opportunity.
   
2. Active Strategic Player Development: There are Different Moments Over the Course of a Series, a Season, and a 4 Year Cycle Where You Have an Opportunity to Strategically Develop Players While Maintaining Your System, Tactics, and Determination to Win. What do those opportunities look like? For example, they look like a Non-Descript ODI or T20 Series against a weaker opponent. A Dead Rubber. The First Game of a New Series.
   
3. Player Rest: Resting most of your top players in one series makes no sense. You can rest players and still put yourself in the best position to succeed. There are enough opportunities over the course of a season where you can strategically rest players in groups of 2 or 3. In doing so you can maintain your winning integrity, rest players, and integrate younger players. Resting players is an opportunity to give young or upcoming players game time, and more importantly form a pathway to full integration. What is Asif Ali’s Pathway into Being a Consistent International? What is Hussain Talat’s Pathway to Becoming a Trusted Batsman? How can we get him there?
   
4. System Development: When building a team, we often build a batting lineup. In my opinion, to build a team correctly you must bring together and balance a batting, bowling, and fielding lineup. Once you’ve identified a system that works, it makes sense to expand and use well thought out opportunities to expand your system. It’s also important to recognize what a successful modern system looks like. For me, it’s an 8-6 System in One Day Cricket with Obvious Nuance. But more importantly there are versions of that system that are worth exploring. But to explore them correctly you need a foundation from which you can seek strategic versatility.
   
5. Tactical Changes: The best preparation notwithstanding, you may have to make tactical changes within a series. The best decision-makers have prepared for every eventuality and have the right type of versatility in their squad to make those tactical changes. Those tactical changes are not made prior to the team meeting before the upcoming match. Those tactical changes are known to everyone including the players. Why? Because when everyone knows where they stand selection shouldn’t be a mystery. A mystery suggests poor communication, a lack of transparency, and an admission of poor competency. It suggests you aren’t playing the right way, that you haven’t built the right XI or squad, and that you don’t understand the talent at your disposal. But if done correctly tactical changes represent great opportunities to integrate players and build your team.

There are numerous other factors that need to be a part of a wider Integration Structure and Team Building Strategy. For purposes of Pakistan Cricket, we need to begin this process by acknowledging that our current understanding of Rotation is completely wrong and insufficient. Upon acknowledging the problem, we can begin advancing the conversation on major topics that can positively impact our cricket.

 

[MenInG]

Wonderful write-up and seems a lot of analytical bits are missed out by our think-tank in order to hit the buzzwords like "rotation"

 

[jnaveen1980]

Joe Root admits England's much-criticised rotation plan in India may continue for Ashes

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket...englands-much-criticised-rotation-plan-india/
Joe Root admits England's much-criticised rotation plan in India may continue for Ashes
Michael Vaughan criticises how England managed players this winter: 'Why rotate so much in Test cricket against the best in the world?'

England captain Joe Root has admitted that the controversial rotation policy could continue into the Ashes series later in the year despite England succumbing to a crushing innings defeat in the fourth Test against India as they lost the series 3-1.

With England’s twin priorities this year being the Ashes in Australia and the Twenty20 World Cup, and the need to protect players from the strains of bubble life due to Covid-19, players are set to continue to be rotated. England’s attempts to win the series in India were hampered by six players missing some of the Test tour. Most notably, first-choice Test wicketkeeper Jos Buttler went home after the first Test in India, while Moeen Ali went home after the second Test. After performing well in Sri Lanka, Jonny Bairstow missed the first two Tests to return home and then made three ducks in four innings against India.

“It's not an ideal, perfect scenario,” Root admitted. “As a captain you want all your players available for selection as often as possible and that's not been the case on this tour.

“The rotation policy is there to look after the players. We've said all along that making sure that players are looked after and that their welfare and wellbeing is paramount. We've got to follow that through.”

The first Test of England’s Ashes tour is set to be played on December 8, as Telegraph Sport previously reported. International flights to Australia are not set to resume until October, and Cricket Australia is planning for England to undergo 14 days quarantine on arrival to satisfy the government's Covid laws.

Root said that such requirements on the players could lead to England’s rotation policy being extended.

“If we are in a bubble environment in Australia then there will be an element of this that will carry over,” he said. “I do think it is important that we learn from this tour as a whole and try to make it better and improve on it moving forward.

“It would be silly for us to look at this and not try to make it better for next time and the next tour.”

Root said that rotating players was essential to prevent player burnout and ensure that players can perform at their best.

“Yes we might not get it right all the time to start with but we need to move forward and look for a better way and hopefully we find that better way quickly. It's going to be important with the amount of cricket we're playing, the number of guys who are multi-format, we look after everyone and guys aren't burning out and losing out on the enjoyment factor.

“There's so much cricket around. So it's really important that whilst bubbles in particular are around that we continue to keep looking after the players and also we've got to get away from playing guys and running them into the ground until they fall over.”

England will be at full strength for their T20 series in India, which begins on Friday. Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticised how England had managed players this winter.

“Just a reminder that England will be at full strength for all the T20s and all players available for the whole IPL,” he said. “Why did England choose to rotate so much in Test cricket against the best in the world?”

After England’s third consecutive comprehensive defeat - they lost by an innings and 25 runs, after defeats by 317 runs and 10 wickets in the previous two Tests - Root admitted that England had erred in their team selection during the series. They selected only one specialist seamer, James Anderson, in Ahmedabad.

“The surface looked very similar to the previous game. We thought spin was going to play a massive factor and be the main asset. Actually it held together a lot better in the middle which meant there was a bit of extra bounce and seam. That was one of the unfortunate things, there were a couple of occasions where you could look back and say did we get selection right?”

To improve in Asian conditions, Root said that England needed to make reforms to the domestic game to increase the amount of spin bowling bowled, stressing the need for flatter pitches.

“I do think that there are areas of county cricket that can be improved - quite easily as well. They need to find ways of making games last four days, giving spinners the opportunity to bowl and to learn to bowl at different stages of the game: to hold the game in the first innings, if it's not spinning and things are not in your favour, to give the seamers some respite, then be able to attack, and to really deal with that pressure of trying to bowl a side out.”

Root suggested that points for draws in the County Championship could be increased to encourage flatter wickets. “If draws are more appealing, because of the amount of points on offer, it might improve our situation slightly.”

The series victory means that India have qualified for the inaugural World Test Championship final, which they will contest against New Zealand in England in June. The venue has yet to be confirmed due to Covid-19, with Lord’s and the Ageas Bowl vying to host the game.

 

[Hasan123]

This rotation policy from England is ridiculous. Play your best 11 in big series and worry about rest later. All these players rested will play 2 months in the IPL. England know what their best 11 in LO, if they really really want to rest players rest them for those series. They don’t know their best 11 in tests so why rest players like Butler and Anderson who are in your best team?

 

[Thunderbolt14]

This rotation policy from England is ridiculous. Play your best 11 in big series and worry about rest later. All these players rested will play 2 months in the IPL. England know what their best 11 in LO, if they really really want to rest players rest them for those series. They don’t know their best 11 in tests so why rest players like Butler and Anderson who are in your best team?

Agreed. It’s ridiculous that players rest in international Test matches but are fully available to play IPL. That’s the death of cricket.

 

[Hasan123]

Agreed. It’s ridiculous that players rest in international Test matches but are fully available to play IPL. That’s the death of cricket.

I get they want to play the IPL but England should have tried to comprise with the players. If they could not do that and they want to rest players, rest them for the LO series. England have enough depth in that format and they won’t learn anything from Butler and Stokes failing or performing in LO.

But I would just play my best 11. Australia and India players have been in bio bubbles for months but they are still willing to play their best 11 .

 

[unemployedgm]

No one in cricket understands rotation.

It does sound intelligent and good plan. But mostly it's pretty ridiculous and executed by people who don't really get it.

Personally, I put rotation in the category of team building where there is intelligent integration and squad optimization.

These guys are just throwing darts at the wall. If they won, they would have credited rotation.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

No one in cricket understands rotation.

It does sound intelligent and good plan. But mostly it's pretty ridiculous and executed by people who don't really get it.

Personally, I put rotation in the category of team building where there is intelligent integration and squad optimization.

These guys are just throwing darts at the wall. If they won, they would have credited rotation.

You refer to building an 8-6 system in the article. What do you mean by this? 8 batsmen and 6 bowling options?

 

[MenInG]

Former captain Michael Vaughan says "Test cricket is dead" if England rest and rotate players in the Ashes.

Coach Chris Silverwood has said England may continue to rotate the squad in this winter's tour of Australia.

Under England's rotation policy, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Mark Wood missed parts of the winter series in Sri Lanka and India.

"If they need rest, you get it before the Ashes," said Vaughan.

"Test match cricket is becoming a joke if that happens."

Speaking on The Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show, Vaughan added: "You make sure you get your best players available for every single Ashes Test match."

England have opted to rest players in order to manage their workload, with 16 or 17 Tests and a Twenty20 World Cup being played in 2021.

"If you said to me that Jos Buttler is struggling and may only be able to play one of those, the T20 World Cup or the Ashes, I'd hate to think the Ashes comes second," Vaughan said.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Buttler returned home after England won the first Test against India in Chennai, missing the remaining matches in the 3-1 series loss.

All-rounder Moeen Ali played in just the second Test against India, having missed the Sri Lanka series and first Test after contracting coronavirus, before flying back to England.

"England have got a magnificent squad of white-ball players but they don't have a magnificent squad of Test match players, that's a fact," Vaughan said.

"They don't have a good enough batting unit to swap and change, manoeuvre the order."

Several England players - including Stokes, Buttler, Archer, Moeen, Curran and Bairstow - are also set to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) which starts on 9 April, with the final scheduled for 30 May.

Silverwood confirmed players could miss England's first Test in a two-match series against New Zealand this summer, which begins at Lord's on 2 June, if they are still involved in the IPL.

"This is where it gets frustrating for England supporters, and many in the game, that these players will go and play in the full IPL," Vaughan said.

England also play a five-match home Test series against India this summer, as well as limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

"For seven Test matches in the summer, I just beg them to pick the best team they can," Vaughan added.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/56334095

 

[AMSS]

Agree with vaughan.

Whole point of Rotation is to 1) Increase the depth of your talent pool, and 2) make sure the best players are in their best shape, mentally and physically, for the toughest assignments.

If you cannot have your best players featuring in the series you value the most then what's the point?

 

[hashimafzal]

Resting players as if England is playing Kenya on the weekend and then has a big midweek champions league fixture against India. Lol. Total joke.

 

[unemployedgm]

You refer to building an 8-6 system in the article. What do you mean by this? 8 batsmen and 6 bowling options?

Yes. But...

I believe in creating an identity. In order to have an identity you need a system. Systems are important because the right system can lead to replicable results and consistent decision-making.

There are layers and layers of reasoning to this subject but for the shorter formats I believe in 8 batsman and 6 bowlers. But it’s important to note that not all batsman are built equally and neither are bowlers. Who I consider a genuine bowler another person may consider a non-bowler. Creating a system helps form a foundation and ensures alignment or linear thought. The latter is important.

I breakdown that 8 6 system into a batting unit and a bowling unit. Within the batting unit I assign attributes and metrics to each position 1-11. The attributes and metrics are consistent with my philosophy about the game, the particular format, and the players available to me. For example, Sarfraz Ahmed would never bat at 6, 7, or 8 in my team. He did quite a bit for Pakistan and even Quetta.

I divide my bowling unit in two. 3 Fast Bowlers and 3 Spinners. I do the same as I did with my batsman. I construct a bowling lineup keeping in mind bowling position and phase of the game. Why 3-3? I believe that you build a team for all conditions and good players adapt to all conditions. Teams that operate in a horses for courses framework or based on form will never build a great team because it’s impossible to be great without structure and consistency. Systems give me structure and consistency.

As a GM I never wasted game time searching for my best XI like so many captains coaches and selectors. I know what my best XI is when I build it, because I’ve selected those players using a rigorous research process rather than using a combination of recency bias, conformation bias, and noise.

Let me tell you something scary. What I’m
Saying is obvious, yet no one in cricket operates this way. Yes, no one!!!

 

[unemployedgm]

Someone needs to define rotation

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Yes. But...

I believe in creating an identity. In order to have an identity you need a system. Systems are important because the right system can lead to replicable results and consistent decision-making.

There are layers and layers of reasoning to this subject but for the shorter formats I believe in 8 batsman and 6 bowlers. But it’s important to note that not all batsman are built equally and neither are bowlers. Who I consider a genuine bowler another person may consider a non-bowler. Creating a system helps form a foundation and ensures alignment or linear thought. The latter is important.

I breakdown that 8 6 system into a batting unit and a bowling unit. Within the batting unit I assign attributes and metrics to each position 1-11. The attributes and metrics are consistent with my philosophy about the game, the particular format, and the players available to me. For example, Sarfraz Ahmed would never bat at 6, 7, or 8 in my team. He did quite a bit for Pakistan and even Quetta.

I divide my bowling unit in two. 3 Fast Bowlers and 3 Spinners. I do the same as I did with my batsman. I construct a bowling lineup keeping in mind bowling position and phase of the game. Why 3-3? I believe that you build a team for all conditions and good players adapt to all conditions. Teams that operate in a horses for courses framework or based on form will never build a great team because it’s impossible to be great without structure and consistency. Systems give me structure and consistency.

As a GM I never wasted game time searching for my best XI like so many captains coaches and selectors. I know what my best XI is when I build it, because I’ve selected those players using a rigorous research process rather than using a combination of recency bias, conformation bias, and noise.

Let me tell you something scary. What I’m
Saying is obvious, yet no one in cricket operates this way. Yes, no one!!!

What are your thoughts on the England cricket team’s philosophy? I have a very similar team-building philosophy to you and I find that currently England is the only team that somewhat follows this framework. They have a very specific vision about what they want in their playing XI, and they have very clearly defined roles for each number in the batting lineup. In turn, they are also extremely clear about the kinds of bowlers they select, with a great level of attention given to matchups and team combination (bowlers who can bat are often preferred, for example, over pure bowlers in limited overs cricket).

The issue is that even they are prey to misguided selection policies such as this rotation policy which doesn’t really seem to be scientifically rooted. That in turn means they are hampering their own chances of developing a team with good chemistry in advance of the T20 world cup simply because their best XI rarely plays at once.

The past few months, they’ve been splitting the XI up between Tests and T20I squads, then you have conflicts with the domestic cricket season, some cricketers being provided rest they might not have even requested in the first place due to board perceptions of bubble fatigue, and more.

I actually find Pakistan cricket better in this respect, at least this last year in limited overs. We’ve done a good job of phasing the right players in and out of the team, based on who we need when. The Bangladesh, England, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, and South Africa limited overs squads were all pretty good with a fairly clear vision of what we wanted to achieve (even if we couldn’t get desired results 100% of the time).

People like Imad and Hafeez were left out of the South Africa series for example, which I thought was an absolute masterstroke in terms of being able to try more cricketers at once in the middle order, where there’s a gap. Instead of playing a lineup with Hafeez at 4, some cricketer we want to try at 5, and Imad at 6, we were suddenly able to give auditions for that number 5 spot to all three of Talat, Iftikhar, and Khushdil Shah. Asif Ali was also able to come in for the third T20I.

Granted, none of them really made the spot their own, but the policy itself seemed to be very clearly defined. Shadab’s injury also provided a convenient opportunity to try out Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Qadir.

Our overall T20I squad is actually even shaping up quite nicely, to be honest, and I see the general direction of selection to be quite solid. I don’t know if Mohammad Wasim has a clearly defined definition like yours on rotation regarding injury management, strategic player development, player rest, system development, and tactical changes, but it does seem to be the case that these factors are being considered.

Regarding the 8-6 breakup, my personal preference is actually more of an 8.5 and 6.5 breakup since I want my number 9 to be able to hold a bat in a tough situation and for my 7th bowling option to be a mainstay of the team as a batsman so that we don’t have to disrupt team chemistry by subbing one of our 6 bowlers out for a given matchup.

In the Pakistan team’s case, for example, my current T20I lineup is this:

1. Babar Azam (c)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Mohammad Hafeez
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Haider Ali
6. Faheem Ashraf
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Usman Qadir / Mohammad Nawaz
11. Shaheen Afridi

As you can see, the batting is quite deep. There are clearly defined roles for the openers to take advantage of the powerplay, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez to accelerate in the middle, with Fakhar statistically more potent against spinners than he is against pacers in the powerplay, and Haider to play the latter middle overs/death finisher role with freedom to play his shots and a safety net if he doesn’t come off.

Faheem, Imad, and Shadab have all showed ability at the death over the last year, with Hassan Ali and Qadir/Nawaz capable of smacking more than a few at 9 and 10.

There are 6 clearcut bowling options, to be used in most games, with Hafeez being the 7th should there be a favorable matchup (for example, Chris Gayle).

Just curious how you would build the current Pakistan T20I team.

 

[unemployedgm]

What are your thoughts on the England cricket team’s philosophy? I have a very similar team-building philosophy to you and I find that currently England is the only team that somewhat follows this framework. They have a very specific vision about what they want in their playing XI, and they have very clearly defined roles for each number in the batting lineup. In turn, they are also extremely clear about the kinds of bowlers they select, with a great level of attention given to matchups and team combination (bowlers who can bat are often preferred, for example, over pure bowlers in limited overs cricket).

The issue is that even they are prey to misguided selection policies such as this rotation policy which doesn’t really seem to be scientifically rooted. That in turn means they are hampering their own chances of developing a team with good chemistry in advance of the T20 world cup simply because their best XI rarely plays at once.

The past few months, they’ve been splitting the XI up between Tests and T20I squads, then you have conflicts with the domestic cricket season, some cricketers being provided rest they might not have even requested in the first place due to board perceptions of bubble fatigue, and more.

I actually find Pakistan cricket better in this respect, at least this last year in limited overs. We’ve done a good job of phasing the right players in and out of the team, based on who we need when. The Bangladesh, England, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, and South Africa limited overs squads were all pretty good with a fairly clear vision of what we wanted to achieve (even if we couldn’t get desired results 100% of the time).

People like Imad and Hafeez were left out of the South Africa series for example, which I thought was an absolute masterstroke in terms of being able to try more cricketers at once in the middle order, where there’s a gap. Instead of playing a lineup with Hafeez at 4, some cricketer we want to try at 5, and Imad at 6, we were suddenly able to give auditions for that number 5 spot to all three of Talat, Iftikhar, and Khushdil Shah. Asif Ali was also able to come in for the third T20I.

Granted, none of them really made the spot their own, but the policy itself seemed to be very clearly defined. Shadab’s injury also provided a convenient opportunity to try out Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Qadir.

Our overall T20I squad is actually even shaping up quite nicely, to be honest, and I see the general direction of selection to be quite solid. I don’t know if Mohammad Wasim has a clearly defined definition like yours on rotation regarding injury management, strategic player development, player rest, system development, and tactical changes, but it does seem to be the case that these factors are being considered.

Regarding the 8-6 breakup, my personal preference is actually more of an 8.5 and 6.5 breakup since I want my number 9 to be able to hold a bat in a tough situation and for my 7th bowling option to be a mainstay of the team as a batsman so that we don’t have to disrupt team chemistry by subbing one of our 6 bowlers out for a given matchup.

In the Pakistan team’s case, for example, my current T20I lineup is this:

1. Babar Azam (c)
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Mohammad Hafeez
4. Fakhar Zaman
5. Haider Ali
6. Faheem Ashraf
7. Imad Wasim
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Usman Qadir / Mohammad Nawaz
11. Shaheen Afridi

As you can see, the batting is quite deep. There are clearly defined roles for the openers to take advantage of the powerplay, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez to accelerate in the middle, with Fakhar statistically more potent against spinners than he is against pacers in the powerplay, and Haider to play the latter middle overs/death finisher role with freedom to play his shots and a safety net if he doesn’t come off.

Faheem, Imad, and Shadab have all showed ability at the death over the last year, with Hassan Ali and Qadir/Nawaz capable of smacking more than a few at 9 and 10.

There are 6 clearcut bowling options, to be used in most games, with Hafeez being the 7th should there be a favorable matchup (for example, Chris Gayle).

Just curious how you would build the current Pakistan T20I team.

I’m happy to engage in more depth but I would disagree with the team you built.

1. If Rizwan is to open, which he should than Babar cannot partner with him. I want to take advantage of my resources but I also want to attack the opposition in the first 6 overs. If you look at the metrics both of these players really struggle in the first 10 balls of there innings which gives the opposition a free pass. I would move Babar down to 3 and open with Haider.

2. I don’t view Fakhar Zaman as an elite T20 batsman. There is little to indicate that he would thrive in the middle order when all his life he batted with 0 wickets down.

3. I disagree with Shadab Khan at No. 8. Shadab is very poor at coming in and bashing the ball around. At no. 8 you have to go from ball 1 which he is unable to do. By putting Shadab at 8 you may think you’re adding batting depth but again is that his best position. In that no. 8 position I’m looking for a guy that can find his feet from ball 1.

4. I like Faheem but there are better third seamers in Pakistan than him. I want at least my top 5 bowlers to all be attacking. Although I like Faheem a lot, I think Amir must come back to spearhead the attack with Shaheen even if this version of Amir is watered down.

5. I don’t see the value of having Nawaz at 10. With the Tallawahs I built a team with 3 left arm spinners for reasons I’m happy to discuss. But in an ideal world you want variety and structure. Although I wouldn’t do this yet, does Sajid Khan provide more value at 10 than Nawaz?

6. Finally you want to give the captain options but not too many options. I always want to introduce a bowler in a structured way. I want to have a basic formula that accentuates each bowlers best skill. That said, bad things can happen and you need to make changes. Rather than having more options you want better strategy and better preparation. For example, if a right handed is at the crease, I want to open the bowling with Imad. But I really want to open the bowling with Shaheen and Amir. What are my triggers.

In all circumstances Shaheen bowls over no. 1 and Amir bowls over no. 2 unless there’s a right handed. In that case I want to give the first over to Imad. If it’s a left handed than open with the first two quicks.

Finally as part of my bowling strategy I never want to overreact to one bad over. I know the metrics indicate that we should change our bowler every over. I don’t necesssarily disagree but I also want to be more nuanced about this rather than just throwing darts at a board hoping for good outcomes.

 

[unemployedgm]

I also disagree with the notion of trying players. Your research process should be rigorous. If it is, your projections and pathways are likely to be successful. When you play a player in a certain position he should perform over the long term. Never overreact to one bad ball, spell, or game. The same for a batsman. Cricket has two fundamental problems that are easily curable.

1. We are unable to remove are behavioral biases from decision making.

2. We don’t actually know how to project talent. That’s because we don’t know how to evaluate talent. That’s because we don’t know how to id talent. That’s because we don’t really understand what winning cricket looks like.

 

[Rana]

Agreed. It’s ridiculous that players rest in international Test matches but are fully available to play IPL. That’s the death of cricket.

I think it’s the initial stages of cricket that is controlled in a football like system where league cricket will be played 9 months of the year and 1-2 months to be dedicated for international duty.

Slowly but surely we are heading towards this direction.