Champagne start has put us in high spirits (20 May 1999)

20 May 1999

Champagne start has put us in high spirits

David Lloyd

Just the ticket, we have got the start we wanted, and, indeed, needed. The holders versus the host nation is the perfect start to any competition and keenly anticipated by all concerned.

At our final team meeting on the eve of the Sri Lanka match I wanted there to be a special moment at the end of the serious business and my memory took me back to, I think it was Brian Clough, who once, before a big match, poured out a glass of champagne for every member of his team. I followed suit. We toasted each other, with my toast being: "We represent our country - enjoy every minute of it and take it all in."

I wanted us to be relaxed and that evening we were, but on the morning of the game you could almost feel the tenseness as we went out for our final practice. Lord's looked magnificent with its new stands and splendid media centre. It can still, however, have an air of pompousness. As we assembled for our fielding practice, we were approached by a gentleman who asked: "Have you had permission to be on here throwing balls at stumps?" Any tenseness vanished in the ensuing laughter.

Alec Stewart won the toss and elected to field, which was significant. The pitch had been covered, there was dampness around and good cloud cover. I thought we made a nervy start although the bowlers vehemently denied this. They attributed the early wides to the 'white-ball swing' and in the following matches a pattern has emerged with extras at the top of the innings as bowlers try to control the new ball.

Sri Lanka were aware of the conditions and had Roshan Mahanama as a foil for Sanath Jayasuriya. They were going well until Mahanama had a dreadful hack at Alan Mullally who had come on as first change. This is a good option for us and I see that other teams are opting to use a strike bowler in this way. Mullally bowled beautifully, with control and menace. After that first wicket we settled well, reducing Sri Lanka to 65 for five with 'the big one', Aravinda de Silva, undone by Mullally's pace and bounce. Sri Lanka fought hard and well as Romesh Kaluwitharana and Arjuna Ranatunga steadied things with 'Kalu' taking the attack back to us. It took a stunning catch by Nasser Hussain to get rid of Ranatunga before we regained control and dismissed Sri Lanka for 204.

Hussain had come in at the expense of Nick Knight at the top of the innings - a desperately tough call to make. Our starts had not been good in recent matches and we felt that we needed to make a move. In a situation like that, it is imperative that you get the message across that the squad is 15 and that everyone will play a part. Hussain and Alec Stewart posted fifty and when Graeme Hick came to the crease Stewart began to flow. He has needed time at the crease and his innings of 88 was timely for him and the team. Hick looked bossy and we won in a canter but I cannot help thinking that Sri Lanka were strangely subdued. They are at their best when they are 'in your face'. They played this game at a sedate pace and judging from the team they put out against South Africa yesterday, would concede that they picked the wrong team in leaving out Upul Chandana and Mahela Jayewardena. I still think they will do some damage in this group.

All teams are watching the weather forecasts and on our return to base at Canterbury we were promised cool, damp, blustery conditions. I must be going soft because I did feel sorry for Kenya in such uncomfortable conditions. Again, Stewart won the toss and opted to bowl. Kenya played pretty well, too, after losing an early wicket with Ravindu Shah and Steve Tikolo impressive in their strokeplay. We fielded five specialist bowlers with Robert Croft coming in for Adam Hollioake mainly because Hick was unable to bowl owing to a stiff neck. Croft gave the attack variation and we restricted Kenya to 203. In both games we have caught well and looked sharp in the field. The captain has maintained attacking fields and rotated the bowlers well.

Again, we got a start with Stewart and Hussain looking assured. Our only casualty was Stewart but Hussain and Hick enjoyed themselves in the wind and the rain. Kenya did well. They can only improve by playing against the big boys but they must retain their enthusiasm at all times.

Early reflections are that the bowlers are enjoying the conditions, the Duke ball is moving around, extras will play a big part and runs down the order are vital in posting a score.

Our next game is on Saturday at the Oval. We play South Africa. Should be a good one ...

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