Don't know much about cricket but I do know that they were once as feeble and as far off the Aussies as us. Not any more. How has this turnaround been achieved and is there anything we can nick?

Sarf African RL players maybe

It was more Australia having a stat laden lineup then them all retiring over a short period. England have improved dramatically and things seem pretty healthy down the system in cricket. Still don't know how the county sides survived before 20:20 though.

They introduced promotion and relegation to the domestic competition

The England cricket teams results started to dramaticly improve around the year 2000 when they introduced central contracts to the best players so particulary the fast bowlers could rest between test matches,and they made the County Championship 2 divisions to do away with soft cricket and games now mean something right up to the end of the season.

English cricket is as strong as anything in the world right now.

Each county is allowed 2 overseas players.

England have improved hugely but the Ashes win for me was more down to the fact that it was the worst Australian side in 25 years.

why are people ignoring the fact the australia have become a much weaker side. Yes England have improved but Australia lost so many great players and have not replaced them with the same quality!

If they can do it why can't we do it in Rugby League.

Very good question , maybe we should get somebody to ask the RFL ?

We had a play at it with Withers and Maurie...

And they have to have played international cricket.

England RL can't learn much. Domestic cricket is structured to provide England players. Can you imagine how fans would react if their team's best players were on central contracts? And therefore, rarely played for their club. Two different sports;

One is a club game, trying to support an international game.
The other is an international game, trying to support the clubs (counties).

Genuine question...

Are there many cricketers of Kolpak heritage to take advantage of an overseas ruling? Or do they have a different overseas ruling in cricket?

Which Ashes win,2005,2009 or 2011?

If we really want to beat the Aussies and be consistently competitive at international level then we have to sacrifice some part of the domestic game.
There are basically 2 choicesi[/it junior & youth coaches with coaches who will actually teach & develop skills instead of just using the "pass it to the big kid" tactic.