Mens high performance review report

SEPTEMBER 2022 OUR PROPOSAL · Align Lions selection to England’s current and medium-term needs · Rebalance the Lions’ schedule to an 80/20 focus on red ball vs. 50 over cricket, with no T20 matches · In the domestic summer, play Lions matches in windows in which there are fewer County Championship matches – June, August, and end of September OUR RATIONALE The Lions is an important part of the England pathway and has been proven to support players. However, it has not always optimised its impact due to challenges around scheduling clashes and, at times, not being closely enough aligned to England’s selection needs. Aligning Lions selection to England’s needs and making its schedule additive rather than disruptive to the domestic season will enable players to see a clear route through to England. It would involve selecting Lions teams that support potential England players re-find form and/or fitness as well as players that demonstrate What it Takes to Win attributes. Lions cricket enables England selectors to get a fuller understanding of the potential of players, and it is therefore beneficial to have as many of the highest-potential and most England-relevant players going through the pathway. We believe that there are sufficient T20 domestic leagues to provide talented white ball players with overseas development opportunities. Therefore, by focusing on red ball cricket, winter Lions programmes will be a compelling development opportunity for red-ball players and support Recommendation 7. 9. RECOMMENDATION: REFOCUS THE LIONS 76% of England players have played Lions cricket as part of their development. 61% of England debutants since 2000 have played U19s 3.8 players per U19 year group go on to play for England. HIGH-PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF MEN’S CRICKET IN ENGLAND AND WALES 21