England will host India in a five-match Test series, which will mark the two teams’ first series of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. England have reportedly sacked their data analysts ahead of the series.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has reportedly sacked its data analysts, Freddie Wilde and Nathan Leamon, a month ahead of the Test series against India. Head coach Brendon McCullum wants to rely on gut feeling and intuition.
England’s new World Test Championship cycle starts with a five-match series against a new-look Indian side, starting June 20 at Headingley. England have been setting some high benchmarks in the Test cricket with their ultra-aggressive batting approach, however, their bazball approach has never landed them in a World Test Championship final.
“Two of England’s senior cricket analysts, Nathan Leamon and Freddie Wilde, are leaving the set-up in a move that suggests the national side will place less emphasis on data moving forward,” The Daily Telegraph reported.
“Leamon and Wilde – England’s senior data analyst and white-ball analyst respectively – are both winding down their involvement with the national team. Neither will be involved in England’s white-ball series against West Indies at the end of the month, which marks the start of Harry Brook’s reign as captain in both limited-overs formats,” the report further stated.
McCullum hasn’t been a firm believer in the data-only approach, which he feels is more suited for the T20 format compared to the longer version.
“The England hierarchy believe that analysis is more important in franchise cricket than the international game, where players tend to have fewer easily exploitable weaknesses,” the report stated.
The England coach also feels that a lesser number of support staff also leads to an uncomplicated atmosphere. “As part of this approach, England players are encouraged to take more responsibility for their preparation and performance and there has been a reduction in the number of support staff on match days to de-clutter the dressing room,” the report added.
England’s approach has been to opposite of India’s, where Rahul Dravid’s era saw more and more emphasis on data. “While players are always free to consult the analyst themselves, the management emphasises that players should largely rely on their instincts. Insiders who have worked across the IPL and the national team believe that franchise teams now use data far more prominently than England.”
