Not foolish at all, Thom.
It is hard to imagine natural flair being curbed by committee. King Viv, Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall. let alone Beefy, Derek Randall etc etc would all be out on their ears if overall management ruled the day.
Friction has always existed I suppose, and 'Management' are another tier in the modern blame game, should things not go smoothly on the field.('Management' probably coined the oft used phrase when professional sportsmen cf: particularly rugby union say "well, we can take the positives from this match" paraphrasing Robshaw, after being regally stuffed by Wales last year) As the players in all teams of elite level are pretty good at using their talents, it's hard to see what else can be done except get experience of playing, working on technique and being comfortable with each other. Any tactical observations needed - then the coach steps in with a strategy ie: "When Johnson bowls a short one at you, don't duck into it, you plank" - that sort of advice...you know what I mean. A posse of suited guys on a balcony is not going to govern the individual guts and toughness of the players on the pitch - whatever they say. And well done Australia - a perfect, comprehensive stuffing, administered in mean, nasty, agressive fashion. They'll get some back in South Africa no doubt...'Shorty' Steyn will be slinging them down and Philander might have a say too. Roll on February!
Cricket's not been the same since Weetabix, beer and poker+rum sessions in the changing room gave way to insurance companies and corporate boxes.<corinthian fogey alert>
