"We have to look after our players," says Chris Silverwood on rotation policy in upcoming Ashes

England's rotation policy were criticised by many pundits after 2-1 Test series loss to India.

England’s head coach Chris Silverwood said that his side might look to continue the rotation policy in the upcoming Ashes in Australia which is scheduled for later this year.

Team India on Saturday thumped England by an innings and 25 runs in the fourth Test match to grasp the four-match series 3-1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

England’s defeat saw their rotation policy face lots of criticism and the side was even accused of not prioritizing the Test series against India. The rotation policy saw the likes of many key players being rested and sent back home. 

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James Anderson, who bowled an impactful spell in the second innings of the first Test match, was rested in the second Test match while Jonny Bairstow was rested from the first half of the series after playing two Tests in Sri Lanka.

Wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler and all rounder Moeen Ali were sent back to England after the conclusion of the first and second Test match respectively. 

While addressing the rotation policy, England head coach Chris Silverwood said that they want to keep the players fit and healthy and added that it’s not acceptable to push somebody until they break and then try to pick them up. 

"We have to look after our players. We want to keep them fit, fresh, healthy and on the park and make sure we're trying to get it right. We're constantly talking about it and trying to make sure we're doing it to the best of our ability. 

“I don't think it's acceptable to push somebody until they break and then try and pick them up. We have to make the intervention before anybody does break so we can get them back in an England shirt quicker," Chris Silverwood said during a virtual press conference. 

Silverwood said that it’s important that players stay connected with their families. 

"Equally, everyone misses their family. The families miss the players that are here. If we can't get the families to the players as we normally would, it's important we do our best to get the players to the families. From a well-being point of view, it's so important these players stay connected with their families,” he said. 

While replying to a question that read “Will the policy continues into the English summer,” Silverwood said that it’s something they have to consider because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

It's certainly something we have to be aware of and consider because we don't know what the landscape will look like from a Covid point of view," he said. 

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Replying to another question which read "Could players be flying home midway through the Ashes” Silverwood said that It's certainly something that they are probably going to have around.

“We have to be proactive in looking after them, so it's certainly something that we may have to look at, yes. I know things are slowly opening up, but we will be guided by the medical advice and what's happening in the country. It's certainly something that we are probably going to have around." said Silverwood. 

Silverwood further said that none of the Englishmen took the series against India lightly and added that India is a very difficult place to come and win. 

“No one took this series lightly, I can promise you that. Absolutely not. We came here wanting to win and we went hard in that first Test and won it. India then came back hard in the last three Tests. It's a very difficult place to come to and win. History tells you that. Don't for one minute think we took this series lightly because we didn't." he concluded. 

(ANI inputs)