Fletcher: We're falling behind

13 April 2012

England must stop the rot in one-day cricket or prepare themselves for a third consecutive World Cup humiliation.

Two heavy defeats by Sri Lanka, with the chance of another here tomorrow, have highlighted deficiencies in a squad that has grown old without gathering sufficient wisdom along the way.

Two months ago, coach Duncan Fletcher was worried about a lack of progress in the limited-overs game. He said: "I'm a bit concerned about where we are in terms of the next World Cup."

Now, after two drubbings in three days, he admitted: "We're going to have to play more or we'll keep falling behind."

In 1992, England were unlucky not to win the World Cup, stumbling at the final hurdle against Pakistan in Melbourne. Since then, though, there have been more embarrassments than triumphs and they never remotely threatened to challenge during the tournaments of 1996 and 1999.

Here, an ageing squad has looked ponderous in the field and immature at the crease. Eight members of the team thumped by 66 runs last night were over 30, whereas Sri Lanka had nine players in their twenties. As for experience, though, the hosts boasted almost all the big numbers.

Six of the Sri Lankans have appeared in more than 100 one-day internationals. For England, only Alec Stewart and Graeme Hick can compete on that front.

It is already too late to catch up before the next World Cup in South Africa in two years' time. But some attempt must be made to close the gap a little after identifying how many of today's players are likely to be around in 2003 - and which of those England will want.

"We have to make sure we are competitive at both Test and one-day cricket because they are equally important," said Fletcher.

England will play a minimum of six limited-over internationals this summer but it is the winter programme that most concerns the coach. Three games in five days at the end of this tour inevitably seem like an anti-climax after the Test series when they should be a big event in their own right.

Concerned that new arrivals like Nick Knight and Mark Ealham had not acclimatised to the conditions, Fletcher and acting-captain Graham Thorpe stuck mainly with their tired Test men for the first two games. It was an easy mistake to make.

"Most other sides go away to play five or more one-dayers. That's what I'm trying to readdress in India and New Zealand next winter, so we are together as a group for longer," said Fletcher.

Before then, England must settle on a pool of players likely to be around for at least two years. They have done it with the Test squad and a consistent selection policy is now producing good results.

"We have to look at individuals and ask whether they can make it to that next World Cup," said Fletcher. "But it's no good just throwing in a whole bunch of youngsters. Getting the balance right is important."

Meanwhile, Robert Croft and Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas were "severely reprimanded" by match referee Hanumant Singh today after their shoulder-to-shoulder collision during yesterday's match.

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