Charles Randall: Gatting`s treble chance (7 May 1997)

Wednesday 7 May 1997

Gatting`s treble chance

By Charles Randall

MIKE GATTING must have the biggest workload in cricket with the three-pronged worry of captaining Middlesex, maintaining his own batting form and fulfilling his job as an England selector.

There has been frustration so far in each direction as Middlesex begin their championship programme against Sussex at Lord`s today.

Gatting used Middlesex`s day off on Monday to watch the Benson and Hedges Cup game at Derby in his England role, but a mere seven overs were completed because of rain.

Yesterday he needed to refocus for nets at Lord`s, having scored only 47 runs in Middlesex`s four one-day games, all defeats. None of the regular side had started well, apart from Mark Ramprakash - and he was recovering from a hamstring strain.

Too much for comfort seemed to depend on Jacques Kallis, the South African batsman. Gatting said yesterday: "If he can perform and do well, it might encourage the others. He`s a very useful cricketer indeed, and a nice guy. We`ve got a lot of youngsters playing and perhaps we need more time."

Gatting was confident he could combine captaincy and England selecting. "It`s not distracting at all. I was told I needn`t be everywhere at once, and the selection meetings will probably be held in London, so it`s not a problem."

Derbyshire play Surrey at the County Ground without Dominic Cork, whose groin injury could keep him out for another three weeks, making him doubtful for England`s Texaco Trophy one-day series against Australia.

Dean Jones, Derbyshire`s captain, said this week: "He has gone through a few things in the past year, but the Derbyshire boys are giving him their full support."

Waquar Younis, Pakistan`s leading bowler, makes his eagerlyawaited championship debut for Glamorgan against Yorkshire at Headingley in a match which should indicate how realistic Glamorgan`s title aspirations really are.

Hampshire are relieved to bring back Cardigan Connor from a knee injury for their Gloucestershire game at Southampton. His seven wickets for 46 against Essex in their first game is the best first-class return of the season.

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