Brighter outlook follows breezy opening (4 July 1999)

4 July 1999

Brighter outlook follows breezy opening

Michael Atherton

Michael Atherton says that a weather change helped to improve atmosphere.

If Nasser Hussain had a nervous night's sleep on Friday with the prospect of a nailbiter in his first game in charge he would surely have welcomed the fresh and breezy morning which greeted him yesterday, for the overhead conditions affect the playing surface at Edgbaston more than any other Test ground in England.

It was in 1995 at Edgbaston that the first ball of the match from Curtley Ambrose disappeared over my head and wicketkeeper Junior Murray for four byes. I made the mistake a batsman should never make of looking behind to see exactly how far back the keeper was standing. And when I saw Curtley's eyes almost popping out I knew we were in for a tough time.

Green in the middle, bare at the ends and rolled endlessly, the wicket in that match was fast and uneven. Since then the groundsman, Steve Rouse, has dampened the pitch to take out the pace and reduce the unevenness. The flipside is that when moisture in the pitch combines with a heavy atmosphere, as it did on Friday, the ball moves around lavishly in the air and off the seam.

The swing on Friday reminded me of the first session here in 1997, when at one stage we had Australia at 58 for eight. Last year, against South Africa, Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock could scarcely control the ball such was the movement on offer. When the sun shines and the breeze blows, however, batting is a far easier proposition. So much so that at 11.35, Stephen Fleming had to turn to Daniel Vettori for the first time in the match, and in desperation Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle also got the captain's call.

This defeat is a devastating blow for New Zealand. Twice in consecutive Tests against England they have squandered a 100-plus first-innings lead to lose decisively. As the nucleus of this team also played in the last one at Christchurch, the psychological effects of this emphatic defeat will, like Alex Tudor at the crease, be damaging and difficult to remove.

This had surely been New Zealand's best chance of victory in this series. Their World Cup performance had given them confidence and their expectations were high, while England had a new captain and new players who would take time to settle. Moreover a bad pitch tends to level the playing field and reduce the difference between the sides.

It is difficult to see anything other than a long summer ahead for Fleming and his team, and Richard Hadley's predictions of a whitewash could come true, but not in the way he imagined. The batting looks flimsy, having problems with the opening partnership, and the middle order being short of form and technique. Adam Parore looks the most accomplished player and it would not be difficult to imagine the lower middle order constantly outscoring their supposed betters. In 1997 in New Zealand it was the twin threat of Phil Tufnell and Robert Croft that won the series. Even in these seamer-friendly conditions, the recalled twirley, Tufnell, picked up five cheap wickets and it did not look as though New Zealand's ability to play spin had improved. Of the next three Tests, two are at Old Trafford and the Oval where spin is likely to be the deciding factor, along with reverse swing when Darren Gough will be back, fit and raring to reclaim the public's affections, temporarily snatched away by Alex Tudor.

On Friday the atmosphere at Edgbaston cloaked New Zealand's bowlers in red velvet. Saturday's conditions, which reflected Test match normality, revealed their true nature. That is that they are not a bad attack, and will be hard working, but not world-beaters either and on the truer surfaces to come will surely lack the venom and variety to trouble England's best.

As for England and new captain Hussain this was a welcome start. He did the first thing right by losing an awkward toss. Since 1995, teams winning here have all done so by batting last and this was no exception. The decision to play Tufnell was the correct one even in such conditions. In 1997 against Australia the presence of a spinner proved crucial and usually the adage that "if three seamers don't do it then four won't" holds true and in any case you have to bowl a side out twice.

Of course Hussain knows there will be tougher assignments ahead and, to prepare for them he should look at areas where England can improve. In particular, England's catching can be sharper. Hussain himself is an excellent slip fielder and by moving himself there he can improve the slip cordon and get himself in a position from which it is easier to captain effectively.

In 1995 England lost here to the West Indies by Saturday lunchtime. During luncheon, the players were abused by spectators for failing to provide further entertainment. Four years on, the early finish at Warwickshire's home ground was greeted more serenely, as the public, for the moment, have a winning team and a new hero to proclaim.

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