England's Ashes win in 2005. Is this one of the worst things to happen to England's cricket?

Question

I was recently looking at an article by Simon Barnes, in the 1991 Wisden, about Graham Gooch:

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237057.html

In it, Barnes argues that Headingley 1981 was "one of the greatest disasters to hit England's cricket". He quantifies this by saying that "The England team became based around an Inner Ring, with Botham at its heart". He continues by declaring "Like all cliques, the England clique was defined by exclusion. Nothing could be more destructive to team spirit than a team within a team..."

Can we draw a parallel with England's triumph in 2005? Since that time, England have been trying to recreate that team, often to the detriment of Team England as a whole. Players have been picked when they are not in form, and there is constant demand to bring back the same bowling attack that won the series. Could this constant yearning to recreate the side that won that epic series in 2005 be of damage to England's long term future?

Answer 1

hmm...interesting perspective to that victory. Well I couldn't access that link because it says "subscription required" but I got your point.

That victory has set an expectation level from the side which can't be achieved everytime. Its right that members of that English side gained the spot light as the "men to do it"!!!! But I too tend to agree somewhat that since then, it has really blocked the attention in the progession phase because it created a sort of "illusion" that the English side had already reached the goal of buildiling up a solid base.

The very next Ashes turned out to be disaster for them and the players' injury worries, the selection controversies really made the matter even worse.

Well they need do something quick otherwise more bad days are waiting to come.

Answer 2

it was good at time but England have been poor since so it was prob a bad thing looking back.

Answer 3

There is always the temptation for teams to do that(try to recreate their winning teams of the past). We see that all too often in other sports such as R.league & union etc in Australia.I suppose when you are really desperate you will try anything! However they will come back eventually. BTW, England won the Ashes in magnificent style in 2005, & really deserved the win.

Answer 4

England were extremely lucky to win the 2005 Ashes series and the series could have very easily gone 3/1 to Australia had a few catches gone to hand. As a result the euphoria that surrounded the win was extremely premature and somewhat unwarranted.

The completely over the top celebrations made several of the players look very foolish but also made them very wealthy.

Recent problems have been exaggerated by unbelievable errors by the selectors which are made increasingly worse by the selections for this weeks test.

Too much money too little talent and sadly cricket is following football tennis and rugby down to a sad pan where totally inadequate sportsmen are paid massive amounts of money to perform rather inadequately. I fear the 20/20 planned later this year will make the situation even worse.

Answer 5

but they didnt cry sour grapes atleast , unlike SSC test match

Answer 6

The David guy above me is talking rubbish! England outlclassed Australia in the 2005 Ashes series!! England could have won that series 3-1! or even 4-1!!

Anyway thats besides the point.

From a general cricket outlook, the 2005 Ashes was one of the greatest things ever to happen to English cricket. Of course increased fan interest, more columns in the newspapers, more money into the game is always a good thing! BUT that isnt what your implying here, if you are just talking about the England cricket team then yeah The Ashes win in 2005 wasnt such a good thing.

Since the 2005 Ashes win, Duncan Fletcher (until he left in 2007) was obsessed with bringing together the 11 players who successfully won The Ashes, Fletcher was also obsessed with making sure England played with Hoggard and 3 other FAST bowlers, he believed that for England to be successful (Like they were in the 2005 Ashes) England had to play with bowlers who could reach the 88mph mark all the time! So players like Mahmood & Plunkett were exposed to test cricket too early, and there confidence was damaged easily.

The 2006/7 Ashes series was the breaking point for me, Fletchers obsession went overboard when. Trescothick a player who was already clearly not comfortable with travelling was picked (luckily he got sent home) Flintoff a player who hadnt bowled in a First Class match for 8 months was picked!! Jones & Giles 2 of the more critically aclamed members of the 05 Ashes winning team were picked ahead of the ever confident Panesar and the in-form Read. In my opinion Fletcher believed that the 2005 Ashes squad should always be picked ahead of anyone else, because not only do they have the "winning mentaility" but they are untouchable!!

For 2 years after the 2005 win, Fletcher literally centered his team round Flintoff, and he always played 3 FAST bowlers!! because thats what beat The Aussies of course!!!

Luckily under Peter Moores times have changed!! Harmison & Hoggard have been left out! and the team has centered round control instead of out & out pace!! I believe Moores believes that no England player is untouchable (regardless of him winning The Ashes or NOT)

So to sum up! The Ashes win was bad for English cricket!! it made Duncan Fletcher believe that the system that beat The Aussies would work! against anyone! regardless of fitness, pitch situations or experience

Answer 7

2005 was an aberration that happened because McGrath played only 3 matches out of 5. Gillespie took 3 wickets in 3 matches but McGrath took 19 wickets in 3 matches. England's performance was 100% whereas that of Australia was 99.4%. Shane Warne played like a champion but then they jointly declared him and Flintoff as joint men of series. But it was England's moment of inspiration. Flintoff, Simon Jones, Pietersen, Trescothick, Vaughan, Geraint Jones and Strauss performed hugely.

Answer 8

winning always good for team.. but may be it affects to individuals

Answer 9

The 2005 ashes was a culmination of a long run of success for the England cricket team. It was what they were building to and was a time when almost to a man the team performed at a top level. But that team never played together again. Injuries hit Vaughan. Flintoff, Jones, Hoggard, Giles etc. Trescothick suffered well documented problems. Players also lost form. So England are once more in a rebuilding period which most teams go through. I don't see it as a disaster just the final peice in a long term plan from Duncan Fletcher and his team.