Ashes T1: Stewart faces most severe examination of captaincy (21 November 1998)

21 November 1998

Ashes T1: Stewart faces most severe examination of captaincy

By Mark Nicholas

AFTER just one day of play in the last Ashes series of the 20th century, England immediately find themselves confronted by their own destiny. Yesterday really should have been their day, a day to set the mood of the summer, the day upon which Australians at large rediscovered their respect for the oldest enemy. But it wasn't, not quite; for having played so well, they could not finish the job and because of it, this weekend at the Gabba has become the most severe test yet of Alec Stewart's team.

Stewart himself got most things spot-on. He chose the right team for a start, or at least the right balance, with six specialist batsmen and five bowlers, and he lost the toss, which is what one suspected he might do. And then he mixed the bowlers nicely and attacked intelligently with his field settings. He kept wicket well, holding one rather special catch, and looked natural as a leader rather than 'put on', which was his tendency last summer.

His bowlers did him proud, and in general the ground fielding was sharp. The best illustration of this came when Mark Butcher caught Ricky Ponting low, by his boots, at extra cover. Clearly, the England fielders had it in their minds to dry up the flow of singles. They moved close in to the 'saving one' position and made judgment of a run awkward. Butcher had moved particularly close, almost to short extra cover, when he clung on to Ponting's drive, which would not have carried a further foot. He had remembered the plan, retained his concentration and it paid off.

This is how England can beat Australia, by being on the ball, all day long. They know this, but can they achieve it? County cricket does not insist on such levels of concentration. The best players can cruise in county cricket and shine still but they cannot cruise in Test cricket or they will be made to look fools.

Alan Mullally had his brain disengaged when a run-out opportunity was presented to him on a plate. He made a horlicks of it and let Steve Waugh, of all men, off the hook - he had just 29 at the time.

Angus Fraser became confused, then panicked when Ian Healy top-edged down towards third man. Fraser moved sluggishly and ended up trying to take the catch by his knees and so he dropped it. The pain in his face, and the guilt, told the story.

Then in the final moments of the evening, Darren Gough forced Waugh to edge low to Nasser Hussain's right side at slip. Hussain, unlike Mullally or Fraser, is a wonderful athlete and a fine catcher at slip. But he, too, dropped his chance.

This morning, England must bowl Australia out, or all but, otherwise the match could be beyond them. Then they must bat for a day and a half themselves. If the match is lost, the series will take some rescuing.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)