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England Cricket Overhauls Support Staff, Shifts Away from Data Analytics

The ECB has dismissed senior data analysts as head coach Brendon McCullum emphasizes player intuition and a leaner team structure ahead of the India Test series.

England's Ben Stokes with coach Brendon McCullum
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Overview

  • The England and Wales Cricket Board has removed senior data analysts Nathan Leamon and Freddie Wilde, signaling a reduced reliance on analytics in team strategy.
  • Head coach Brendon McCullum is prioritizing instinct and simplicity, moving away from the data-driven approach that informed past successes like the 2019 ODI and 2022 T20 World Cups.
  • Rupert Lewis, the current Test analyst, will expand his role to cover both red-ball and white-ball formats, with no direct replacements for the dismissed analysts.
  • England’s management believes data analysis is more impactful in franchise leagues like the IPL than in international cricket, where players are less predictable.
  • The five-match Test series against India is confirmed to begin on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, marking the start of England’s new World Test Championship cycle.