There was a time when one person was responsible for looking after the team affairs which would include for example coaching, analyzing the opposition, looking after non-cricketing affairs etc.
However we have seen new developments and trends in international cricket whereby all the responsibilities got too much for one person to handle. So the appointment of team manager became a trend who would look after the non cricketing affairs and coach would simply just concentrate on cricketing affairs. We also have seen other people being attached with team’s i.e. assistant coaches, specialist batting & bowling coaches, use of technology etc.
The recent trend or the most recent one I can think off has been the use of team analysts. For example the England team have employed analyst whose main role would be to analyse the opposition. He would be able to provide any kind of information the captain asks for i.e. number of times the player has been bowled, caught, position in the field caught etc. Based upon this the team hierarchy would make the necessary plan of action for the opposition players.
See: http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/235609.html
Most of the top cricketing nations are trying new things and whereas others are just following. For example, Pakistan was reluctant to have a specialist bowling coach and they became point that they realised it was necessary to have one. I don’t think they have a team analyst attached with the team or correct me if I am wrong.
By the time Pakistan moves towards something like this, other teams may have moved on to something else. Basically we are just following others rather than trying to be inventive.
I am just wondering what the new developments are likely to be in future. Ear pieces in captain’s ears depending upon the ICC allowing it or some other developments.
I think the English team analyst has done great work on the Indian batting line up. For example they have worked out Sehwag even though some people may say he is out of form but you still need to get him out, some of the field placement was so inventive for the Indian batsmen.
So do you think it is a good idea to have team analyst in the team? I personally think so as the likes of South Africa, England and Austrlia are using them and anything which helps to expose the opposition and helps the team in any way can be very positive.
However, one thing also worth pointing out is that analysis performed by analyst on the opposition need to be planned by the coach and the captain. These than need to be executed on the field by the captain who is innovative and great tactian. In case of Pakistan if we have some like Inzmam as a captain would it be of any use?