Jon Lewis, England’s head coach, has unveiled his innovative approach to integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the team’s selection process. He acknowledged the pivotal role of technology in aiding his team’s performance, particularly for making crucial “borderline” decisions, remarkably during the closely contested Ashes series last summer.
Lewis discussed the intricate process behind utilizing data analytics to enhance team performance in cricket, particularly for the England women’s cricket team. Lewis initially encountered the capabilities of London-based company ‘PSi’ during his tenure with the Women’s Premier League franchise UP Warriorz in India. Since then, he has incorporated their services to enhance his decision-making regarding squad composition, team dynamics, and strategic match-ups. The system employs sophisticated algorithms to project outcomes based on various permutations of team compositions, providing valuable insights for optimizing performance on the field.
He mentioned, “I can send multiple different line-ups to the PSi in London and they run, I think, about 250,000 simulations per team that I send, with all different permutations that could happen through the game. We are able to run simulated teams versus the simulated opposition to give us an idea about how those teams may match up against each other.”
With a keen eye for strategy, he emphasized the importance of running multiple simulations to assess various line-up permutations and potential match outcomes. Drawing from his experience with UP Warriorz, Jon highlighted the value of integrating data-driven insights alongside a people-first approach. By understanding the players’ mindset and utilizing data to analyze past performances objectively, Jon aims to optimize team selection and strategic decisions. His approach emphasizes the synergy between human understanding and statistical analysis, ultimately aiming to refine the team’s competitive edge.
He emphasized, ”What data can do is give you a really objective view of what could happen and what has happened previously. I think it will help with borderline decisions in terms of selection and match-ups.”
Lewis, having engaged in discussions with England’s rugby union coach Steve Borthwick regarding his utilization of the PSi model, believes he has already reaped the rewards. He cited a pivotal moment during last year’s series against Australia where he heavily relied on the dataset, indicating tangible benefits. Jon reflected on the significant impact of utilizing AI technology during the previous summer’s Ashes series, where it proved instrumental in guiding crucial selection decisions.
He mentioned, “It played out really last summer…we used it very successfully in the Ashes. There was one selection particularly last year, one period of the Ashes that we targeted as a team.”
Recalling a pivotal moment during the series, he recounted how AI analysis facilitated the choice between two players who were both in formidable form. By leveraging AI insights, the team effectively identified and capitalized on strategic advantages, aligning their strengths to counter Australia’s formidable lineup. This strategic alignment proved pivotal in securing victories, notably in the T20 series, ultimately leading to a decisive turnaround in the Ashes competition. Jon’s testimony highlights the tangible benefits of integrating cutting-edge technology with strategic planning, resulting in tangible success on the cricket field.
He remarked, “We saw a real strength in Australia and we matched up our strength to that. That worked really, really well and it helped us win the T20 series in particular, which got us back in the Ashes.”
