Fatigue concerns Collier

David Collier © Getty Images

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier insists the governing body are keeping a close watch on international commitments to ensure there is no player burn-out.

Since Boxing Day last year England have played 12 Tests - five overseas - and have won three (all against West Indies at home) and lost four.

They have lost three out of the last four series and on the recent tour to Sri Lanka they went down 1-0 in the three-match series.

That result dropped them to fifth in the International Cricket Council’s world rankings, in which England have played more games than anyone else.

In the same period, which incorporated a World Cup in the Caribbean, England also played 34 one-day internationals.

Collier is aware of the need to protect the players.

“That has been looked at in terms of the number of matches people are limited to, which is 15 Tests and 30 one-day internationals,” he said.

“That is something we must keep well within, and is something that is happening.

“But what is happening is the intensity of cricket has increased, the number of global events has increased, and that is something the board is reviewing.

"One of the things we have to look at with players playing in both forms of the game is to how best to manage and work those players, as well as expectations and workloads.”

The defeat in Sri Lanka was coach Peter Moores’ first overseas challenge.

He has been in the post less than a year after succeeding Duncan Fletcher, under whom England rose to second in the world, and Collier is satisfied with the work he is doing.

“We can’t expect instant results,” he told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“It was his first tour to Sri Lanka, and he will learn a lot in terms of getting to know the players.

“But he has made an impact, and a lot of people have noticed several changes, and significant changes.

“Peter has just appointed a new fielding coach in Richard Halsall who will start work in March.

“Those sort of innovations are how we need to progress and move forward if we are to become one of the top two or three nations in the world, regain those Ashes and win an overseas tournament.”