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Last Updated: Friday, 5 January 2007, 12:07 GMT
Sorry England start Ashes inquest
England captain Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff's team lost every Test as England were comprehensively outplayed
England cricket chiefs have launched a major review of the team's performances in Australia following their crushing 5-0 Ashes defeat.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier said the series was a "great disappointment" and "a number of lessons must be learned".

He promised that the review would be "comprehensive and broad ranging".

The ECB said its objective was to help England regain the Ashes on home soil in 2009 and improve one-day results.

Several ECB directors met informally on Thursday to consider implementing a review of Team England.

Following their discussions in Sydney, the venue for the fifth and final Test, they issued a statement detailing their plans.

It read: "The board unanimously supported the establishment of a comprehensive review and will now meet formally to agree the process and composition of the review team."

606 DEBATE: Why did it go so badly wrong for England?

The ECB want the review "to determine how Team England performances during the period 2003-7 should be improved in order that England regain the Ashes in 2009 and win an ICC Global One Day Event during the period 2007-11".

The review is unlikely lead to a change of coach.

Duncan Fletcher, who has already said he plans to take charge of England at the World Cup in the West Indies, appears to have the backing of his masters.

"This is not the time to fuel speculation about the head coach," John Carr, the ECB's director of England cricket, told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I'm very confident Duncan will be leading the team into the World Cup.

"Duncan has himself said that he always reviews his position at the end of each winter.

"I'm sure the ECB general review that is looking at all ECB structures etc will be looking at all elements of personnel within Team England - every post and every position."

The World Cup gets under way in March, with England placed in Group C alongside New Zealand, Canada and Kenya.

Aussies complete Ashes whitewash
05 Jan 07 |  England


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