Being obsessed with stats is fine and the people who slag off statistical approaches to sport generally piss me off, England's problem is that they aren't focused on the correct stats. One from last night was that the 3 best sides in the world take the batting power play early nearly half the time, we take it early less than a quarter of the time. That's an interesting stat because it highlights how our lack of killer instinct is a key part of our issue with the bat. They'd also see that taking pace off the ball is proven to be effective and that death bowling that is full-er and slower is more effective than quick bouncers.
Behind everything Englands problem is that we're approaching the game in a manner that doesn't work post T20, the game has changed massively since the mid90s and English ODI tactics haven't changed with it, until someone realises that batsmen need to counter-attack and hit people out of the attack (we did it with Lakmal yesterday and then let Dilshan and Mathews throw pies with no response) then with the ball we need to start making plans that fit with the game now, generally that means bowling a few at the stumps, a tactic that we have underused for years.
On top of that English cricket needs to start encouraging players to join the IPL and Big Bash, lets start trying to get 15-10 English players involved in both of those competitions every year, get them used to other conditions and playing with players and coaches who have a different approach to the game.
