The Ashes: Academy Head Hits Back at Marsh Taunts

Dave Parsons, acting director of the England and Wales Cricket Board academy, has hit back at Rod Marsh's claim that England's Test team are on the slide and will do well to avoid a 5-0 whitewash in the Ashes.

Marsh, the former academy head coach, had told the Guardian that, since winning the Ashes, England "have gone in only one direction, and that's backwards". But, speaking in Perth, where the academy have been based for the last month, Parsons described Marsh's views as a "shame" and refused to succumb to the pessimism that currently surrounds the English game.

"We've had two disappointing results here in Australia, but I don't agree that our Test standards are slipping fast," said Parsons. "When I read those comments, I thought it was a shame. Rod did a really good job when he was in charge and he got the academy up and running. It's just sad that someone who has been so heavily involved in the programme feels that it is right to make that sort of comment."

Marsh's comments were followed by an outburst in The Wisden Cricketer by Bob Willis, who is unhappy that "the likes of James Anderson, Liam Plunkett and Sajid Mahmood are learning their trade in the international arena rather than in county cricket".

The academy side will have played only three one-day matches by the time its five-week stint at Hale School comes to an end after the third Test. Their first two games ended in heavy defeats and although four members of the party turned out for an England XI at Lilac Hill on Friday, the players have been all too aware that their main purpose has been to act as a shadow squad for the senior team in case of injuries. So far, only Ed Joyce has made the transition as cover for Marcus Trescothick, who flew home in October because of stress-related illness.

But Parsons, who was last week handed responsibility beyond his normal role as the ECB's spin-bowling coach when Peter Moores, the full-time director, went home because of a family illness, described the policy as a "risk worth taking" and pointed to the progress made by several of the younger squad members. "There are a few members of the next generation of England cricketers out here," said Parsons, who singled out Ravi Bopara, Steven Davies, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett and Graham Onions.

Tremlett, the 6ft 7in Hampshire fast bowler, has caught the eye of Duncan Fletcher during practice matches while Daviesa a 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, has also won praise. But Parsons denied that Broad, the 20-year-old Leicestershire quick, is being turned into a "bowling clone" as suggested by his father Chris, the ICC match referee and former England batsman. "I don't think those thoughts reflect Stuart's thoughts," said Parsons. "The work that [England's bowling coach] Kevin Shine has been doing with him has been about letting his natural talent flourish, but also giving him one or two pointers in the right direction."

Broad is expected to stay on in Australia for next month's Commonwealth Bank one-day triangular series - New Zealand are the third side - and will probably be joined in England's squad by his fellow academicians Jamie Dalrymple and Mike Yardy. If those three can contribute here and at next year's World Cup, Parsons will argue it has been a case of job done.

The academy


Ashes back-up


Rob Key batsman, Kent, age 27

Owais Shah batsman, Middlesex, 28

Jon Lewis seam bowler, Gloucs, 31

One-day international experience


Stuart Broad fast bowler, Leics, 20 Rikki Clarke all-rounder, Surrey, 25 Jamie Dalrymple all-rounder, Middlesex, 25

Matt Prior wkt, Sussex, 24

Chris Tremlett fast bowler, Hants, 25

Mike Yardy all-rounder, Sussex, 26

Young thrusters


Ravi Bopara all-rounder, Essex, 21 Steven Davies wkt, Worcs, 20

Graham Onions seam bowler, Durham, 24

Tom Smith all-rounder, Lancs, 20

Back-room staff


Peter Moores (academy director) Andy Flower (batting coach)

Ottis Gibson (bowling coach)

Dave Parsons (spin-bowling coach) Craig Ranson (physiotherapist) Richard Smith (physiologist)