In light of Richard Gould’s recent statement about an extensive review of England’s Test cricket setup, I’ve got a simple message for anyone vying for a spot in the national squad: prove your worth in county cricket.
As we look ahead to the summer’s crucial Test series against New Zealand, the focus must shift back to the heart of England’s cricketing structure—domestic competition.
Players must earn their place by delivering big performances for their county teams.
Why County Cricket Needs More Attention
The reality is, the shift away from the County Championship under Rob Key and Brendon McCullum’s leadership hasn’t helped us.
The Ashes were a harsh reminder that England’s Test cricket needs fresh ideas.
Yes, it’s old school, but it’s effective. The last few years have seen a focus on The Hundred, with massive investments, but now that the ECB has cashed in on that format, it’s time to reinvest in our domestic game.
Without a strong feeder system like the County Championship, how can we expect players to step up to the highest level?
Right now, the county game doesn’t provide the right incentives.
The prize money is paltry at £600,000, the schedule is overloaded, and many players are questioning whether the grind is worth it when they could be playing shorter formats like T20 or franchise cricket, earning more for less effort.
The Disconnect Between County Cricket and Test Selection
Another problem lies in the fact that many of England’s Test players don’t even play their roles in county cricket.
Jamie Smith, for instance, doesn’t keep wicket for Surrey, Shoaib Bashir isn’t always selected by Somerset, and Brydon Carse doesn’t open the bowling for Durham.
Even players like Jacob Bethell, who are considered for England, don’t always get the chance to bat in their preferred positions for their county.
The current structure leaves too many gaps.
Players aren’t getting the proper red-ball cricket exposure they need to develop and hone their skills.
In contrast, Australia’s Sheffield Shield provides a consistently high level of domestic competition, where players like Michael Neser have developed the skills required to succeed in Test cricket.
England needs to look to that model for guidance.
The Need for Red-Ball Cricket Investment
It’s simple: England can’t keep relying on the hope that a freak talent like Jacob Bethell will emerge out of nowhere to fill a crucial Test spot.
The domestic game needs proper backing and investment. I’ve seen the potential first-hand.
Last year, I played in Division Two, and the standard of cricket was impressive.
There’s raw talent in county cricket, and with the right support, it can develop players who are ready for the national stage.
The ECB needs to treat county cricket like a genuine stepping stone for international cricket.
This isn’t just about nurturing the next big player—it’s about ensuring that players are getting the right training, exposure, and competition to succeed at the Test level.
Investing in county cricket will pay off in the long run.
What Should the Review Include?
As part of the review Richard Gould referenced, I’d like to see the ECB take a hard look at the science and medical side of things, too.
Players like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood didn’t have enough red-ball cricket before the Ashes, and we saw the impact of that.
If we’re going to compete at the highest level, the ECB must plan for all viable candidates in advance, not just throw them in at the deep end.
For instance, I would’ve expected to play a couple of County Championship matches leading into the Test series, taking a week off here and there to ensure I was firing on all cylinders.
Some players, like Stuart Broad, may prefer less time in county cricket, but others, like me, need to ramp up our workload to be in peak condition for Test matches.
Everyone is different, and the ECB needs to tailor preparations to individual needs.
Picking the Right England Attack for New Zealand
If I had to pick an England bowling attack right now for the New Zealand series, I’d start with Ben Stokes as the all-rounder, with Rehan Ahmed batting at No 8 and spinning his way through the middle.
Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue would take the new ball, and I’d have Brydon Carse coming on first change.
Why Rehan Ahmed? Because I love what I’ve seen from him.
He’s a fighter and a thinker, always working hard to improve.
I’ve seen him put in the hours and continuously try to get better, and that’s what England needs.
While Jack Leach might be the most consistent spinner in county cricket, the selectors might overlook him, so Ahmed could be a good option, much like Will Jacks was during the Ashes.
Archer, despite the lack of recent red-ball cricket, bowled well when he got the chance in the Ashes, so I’d give him the new ball.
However, if Mark Wood is available, I wouldn’t play him alongside Archer, simply because of Wood’s injury history and the toll his body has taken.
The Challenges of Selecting England’s Fast Bowlers
As for the fast bowlers, I’d love to see Josh Tongue start the New Zealand series.
He earned the right with his excellent performances in Australia.
Meanwhile, Brydon Carse hasn’t shown the same level of consistency and, despite his impressive wicket tally, tends to go for a lot of runs.
That said, he has great pace and could benefit from working on his accuracy in county cricket.
Carse’s issue has always been consistency.
He has the raw talent, but he needs to prove it by taking wickets regularly in the County Championship.
If he can develop that consistency, he could become a crucial part of England’s bowling attack.
As for Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts, they’re both on the fringes of selection, but they too need to show they deserve a place.
It’s simple: take wickets early in the county season, show consistency, and earn your spot.
There’s no room for passengers at this level.
The Way Forward for England
The ECB needs to make sure that county cricket is no longer just an afterthought.
It needs to be the backbone of England’s cricketing future.
If the right players aren’t coming through the system, it’s because the system isn’t working properly.
The time for change is now—whether it’s through better investment, a more competitive domestic structure, or a renewed focus on red-ball cricket, something has to give.
Only then can England move forward with confidence into their next big Test series.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn