Mumbai: The hectic schedules of international cricket have been nudging teams towards the concept of split-coaching. This approach divides coaching responsibilities based on the format—Test, ODI, or T20. Additionally, there has been a noticeable talent shift from international cricket towards lucrative T20 leagues worldwide. However, strong resistance has emerged against these trends.

Recently, India and England have reconsidered their coaching strategies. India appointed Gautam Gambhir, and England chose Brendon McCullum for all-format coaching duties. These decisions align with Australia, where Andrew McDonald handles all coaching responsibilities. This marks a significant shift as none of these top cricketing nations employ format-specific head coaches anymore.

England previously experimented with split-coaching when they assigned Australia’s Matthew Mott to lead their white-ball teams in 2022. While McCullum’s Test team grabbed attention with its aggressive playing style and mixed results, the white-ball teams struggled. The once-dominant 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup champions faltered in subsequent tournaments. Criticism was directed at the English cricket board for not prioritizing white-ball teams during bilateral series, where players are often evaluated for major events.

The hope is that McCullum’s comprehensive role will streamline objectives for Test captain Ben Stokes and white-ball captain Jos Buttler. The responsibilities of a single head coach have expanded beyond managing a squad of fifteen players. They now influence scheduling, pitch conditions, and player rest and rotation policies. Players also find it more effective to have one consistent voice guiding them. Despite the exposure to top coaching talent in franchise leagues, many players believe that their most significant learning comes from international cricket.

England batter Will Jacks highlighted the challenges of adapting to franchise team setups, where players spend only a short time with different coaches. He emphasized the long-term learning opportunities in international cricket, where coaches are involved for extended periods, allowing the development of a cohesive environment and consistent philosophies.

Jacks’s impressive 41-ball century in the IPL for RCB against Rashid Khan last year was rooted in his experiences from an England U19 camp in Mumbai five years ago. He noted that County cricket offers limited exposure to high-quality spin, making U19 tours of India invaluable for young English batsmen. Jacks expressed confidence in his ability to perform against spin when he returns to India.

Franchise cricket often limits the time available for coaches to build trust with players. Players adapt to new ideas while staying true to their game. Phil Salt, who captained England’s T20I team against Australia, stated that modern coaching focuses more on understanding the player and making minor mental adjustments rather than technical changes. He shared that his discussions with Gambhir at KKR were primarily about mental reinforcement to optimize performance.

Andy Flower recently shared his perspective on the differences between international and franchise coaching. He noted that international coaching involves progressive improvement, while franchise coaching is more about managing a group of players and making immediate decisions.

England’s white-ball team is expected to adopt a bolder approach under McCullum’s leadership. Salt expressed his enthusiasm for McCullum’s coaching style and anticipated positive changes that would strengthen the team. Jacks echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of clarity of thought in international cricket and praising McCullum’s man-management skills.

As England’s ODI series against Australia continues, both Jacks and Salt are eager to secure spots for next year’s Champions Trophy through strong performances.