New full-time selector Geoff Miller has urged players and staff to stop focusing on the Ashes series in 2009 and start getting results.
England need to build momentum, says selection chief
New full-time England selector Geoff Miller has urged players and staff to stop focusing on the Ashes series in 2009 and start getting results.
Miller, who was part of the selection panel for seven years under David Graveney, is well aware of the huge expectations that surround England and their biennial battle with the Aussies.
But having seen the side slump to Test series defeats to India and Sri Lanka Miller believes there is a greater need to perform on a near-term basis before thoughts are turned to the Australians.
"The build up to the Ashes series and one-day series leading up to a World Cup starts now," said the former England spinner. "It's all about creating momentum now so we get into a winning ethos up to the Ashes.
Momentum
"If all we think about is that (the Ashes) and you continue to fail at this hurdle then you're not going to do anything there anyway.
"It's a bit of a dual-edged sword because we need to ensure we get a bit of winning momentum here but looking ahead is part of the equation too, so it's vital we get results here now."
He added that the perception that some series are more important than others is wrong, saying: "Every series is a must-win series. We try to win every game we possibly can.
"There will be the odd occasions where you're still trying to find out about players and we have lots of options in both sides.
"We will be working on players and working on ways we want to play, but it's vital from now we get into the winning habit in both formats of the game.
"We need to win series after series. Australia have hit the benchmark, they've shown us what it's all about. It's not just about winning one vital series, it's winning the next one after that.
"It's like getting promotion in football - it's not just getting up there it's staying up there and that's what we're trying to do. Peter (Moores) is very big on that and so am I."
