England's data days over, but at what cost?

England have reportedly decided to part ways with data analysts Nathan Leamon and Freddie Wilde in a clear message that they are going to rely more on instinctive cricket than a numbers-backed strategy.

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA:

It's not a shocking move because, as far as shelf life goes, Leamon—he has been with the England setup since 2009, even sitting in on some selection meetings—has been in this role longer than even some of the most established cricketers. More so because Brendon McCullum has always been vocal about players trusting their instinct since he took over as the Test team coach in 2022. Now that he is also England's white-ball coach, this decision was on the cards.

Leamon—a Cambridge University maths graduate—famously enjoyed a great rapport with Eoin Morgan who led England to their maiden ODI World Cup triumph in 2019 and the T20 World Cup win in 2022. It was Leamon who set up a system in 2009 that helped England players familiarize themselves with how to work with HawkEye data.