Botham demands changes, now

Former captain Ian Botham has insisted England make several changes in personnel, after slumping to a three-nil ODI series defeat at the hands of India in the fourth ODI at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Former captain Ian Botham has insisted England make several changes in personnel, after slumping to a three-nil ODI series defeat at the hands of India in the fourth ODI at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Tuesday saw the hosts' limited-overs shortfalls compounded by a characteristically inadequate performance with the bat, after which centurion Ajinkya Rahane and half-centurion Shikhar Dhawan afforded the visitors triumph with all of 117 deliveries to spare.
"We can start looking for excuses but the hard, cold facts are we don't learn and if anything we're getting worse. There is no other word for it – it's embarrassing," Botham told <i>Sky Sports</i>.
"Let us make some changes. You've lost the series, what have you got to lose in the last game? Bring in some of the younger players and let's see what happens. Blood them, give them a taste.
"I've been amazed Gary Ballance hasn't been in the side, he averages more than most guys in the team in one-day cricket, then you've got James Taylor who is averaging 70 in one-day cricket, James Vince at Hampshire, there are a lot of players chomping at the bit to have a go."
Erstwhile India skipper Sourav Ganguly, meanwhile, questioned England's undisciplined shot selection throughout the five-match series. All-rounder Joe Root perished to a reverse-sweep on Tuesday, while wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler's footwork was found entirely wanting.
"India have kept on improving in this series and it was a superb performance. England will have to look at the strokes they played – there were too many reverse sweeps, too many across-the-line shots – and the way the India team batted," added Ganguly.
Latest
-
News
Paul Farbrace: Che Simmons may play for England after signing Warwickshire deal
The 18-year-old has signed a three-year contract.
-
News
Paul Collingwood ‘desperate to help out’ new England coaches, says Rob Key
Australia’s Matthew Mott has been appointed to lead the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum the new man in charge of the Test side.
-
News
Matt Parkinson out of England squad with Harry Brook and Matthew Potts included
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are back.
-
News
Matthew Mott takes control of England’s white-ball teams – who is the new coach?
The 48-year-old Australian is England’s new limited-overs head coach.
-
News
Australian Matthew Mott named head coach of England men’s white-ball teams
Mott has signed a four-year agreement, having edged out Paul Collingwood for the role.
-
England
Harry Brook and Matthew Potts included in England Test squad
James Anderson and Stuart Broad also return.
-
News
Henry Nicholls thinks Brendon McCullum is an “inspiring” appointment by England
McCullum was appointed England Test head coach last week.
-
News
‘Huge respect between two of us so no animosity’ – James Anderson on Joe Root
Anderson and Stuart Broad are set for England recalls on Wednesday, a couple of months after being jettisoned for the West Indies tour.
-
News
Tom Harrison stepping down as chief executive of the ECB
Managing director of women’s cricket Clare Connor will take over on an interim basis in June.
-
England
Tom Harrison steps down as ECB chief executive
Harrison has been in the post for the last seven years.