David Lloyd: Test success is a question of character (28 June 1997)

Saturday 28 June 1997

Test success is a question of character

By David Lloyd

CELEBRITY spotting is a daily pastime at the Lord`s Test and an excuse for old players to meet up and, verbally at least, take some more wickets and score some runs. During the game, I saw two interviews on television. One was with Bob Massie, the Australian seam and swing bowler who took 16 wickets at Lord`s, and one with Allan Border, former Australian captain and record run-scorer. After seeing the interviews, I thought that I had to shake their hands. I thought they were excellent.

Massie went through his wickets and talked the art of swing bowling. There was an obvious comparison between his and the outstanding performance by Glenn McGrath in England`s first innings. He, too, took eight wickets. Which was the best performance? Massie`s answer was that while it was good to reminisce, this was McGrath`s day. He, [Massie] was quite happy to walk away quietly and let McGrath enjoy his success because this was his time. Good on yer, Bob.

If you played against Allan Border you knew you were up against a fierce competitor. Off the field he is a grand fellow. I know how passionate he is about the game and in particular Australian cricket and the will to win. During his interview, Tony Lewis asked him about how it all started for him as Australia`s captain. His answer drew a direct parallel to the route down which England`s cricket team is taking. Border recalled that the team were going nowhere, not performing well, not seen as a force.

Australia`s success over all these years started right at the very top when The Management and administration were revamped and the selectors made a very determined effort to pick character. Players who could handle a pressure situation, players who could take a blow and then come back for more, bowlers who would stand up and say `give me the ball`, players who would die for the country and for each other. When I chatted to Border on the steps of the pavilion we talked about character. He said all players must add to the character of the team and must at all times give to the team and not take from it. This reminded me of our get-together in Gloucester- shire pre-season when Frank Dick, the athletics coach, talked `team`. He said that athletes (players) were either mountains or valleys. Mountains are `down to me - here and now` and valleys are `if only`. Frank also said that your 11 best are not necessarily your best 11. I think our players understood that and now understand each other`s role in the game.

Border also recalled the need for consistency in selection, for players to be at ease in the team and not looking over their shoulder, thinking this innings will be the last. The players need to know that selectors believe in them. Of course, injuries and loss of form do come into it, as does com- petition for places, but I think, in England`s case, everyone agreed that we came into this series with the nucleus of a team. I stress the need for competition, and I think that it is so important when there is a change that a player coming into the side for the first time or coming back should be openly welcomed by everyone.

LET me illustrate what I mean by understanding each other`s role in the game. In the Edgbaston Test, after bowling out Australia on the first day, it was obvious that Australia would come at us strongly with the new ball and it was important that we put partnerships together. We did lose early wickets and then Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe came together and worked their socks off for each other. They played with style, confidence and panache with terrific technique. I agree with everyone who said that was Test match batsmanship of the very highest order. What pleased me most of all was the way that they shared in each other`s achievements and mile- stones. They were genuinely pleased for each other. They played as a team.

All of this, consistency of selection, character of the player, brings me on to two lads involved in both games. One, Australia`s captain, Mark Taylor, has suffered a loss in form but has been around a long time. He answered his critics in the best possible way by scoring a hundred at Edgbaston and then handled the questions afterwards with great dignity. He appeared to cope well with the pressure.

The second player is England`s Mark Butcher, playing in his second Test match. How did he cope? On a bowler-friendly pitch at Edgbaston he did not get a start but did catch a couple and enjoyed an England victory over Australia. At Lord`s he missed out again in the first innings on a pitch that Glenn McGrath would roll up and take with him around the world. Grassless, cracked and with an atmosphere of cloud cover and dampness. McGrath took great advantage, just as England`s bowlers did on the first morning at Edgbaston. Mark also spilled a couple of chances - he wasn`t the only one on either side in this game.

The rumble started when England batted again. "Last chance," they said; "Not quite there," they said and then his technique was dissected on the television screen to such an extent that a surgeon would have had difficulty putting him back to- gether again. Everyone in our camp assured him of what he could do and why he was there. He spent time with his father, Alan, and talked with his county coach, Dave Gilbert. The only way he could make any sort of statement was to score runs. His was the second-top score in the game. Yes, he was dropped, but that is the game, that is the way it goes - ask Matthew Elliott.

He coped well, you bet your life he did. Not for me the `he doesn`t do this or can`t do that` syndrome. Surely, coaching is emphasising what you are good at and working on the ar- eas that need a bit of improvement. So what did `Butch` do well? Well, he showed great determination, concentration and character - there is that word again - and played some cracking shots while being watchful in defence.

In the context of the game we needed a partnership on that last day sooner rather than later. Butcher and Michael Atherton gave us an opening partnership of 162. Butcher played his part in a big way.

It was so disappointing for all concerned that so much time was lost to rain during the game. The groundstaff worked like Trojans with the covering and mopping-up operations and they looked exhausted at the end. The weather did not seem to deter the picnics behind the pavilion and it looked as if everyone was determined to enjoy the smoked salmon and champagne whatever the weather.

AS an aside, I wonder what people thought about the announcement to applaud both teams whatever the situation. It took me back to 1975 and Thomson and Lillee at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. I do not recall resounding applause when I was at the crease. All I remember was a crescendo of `Kill, kill, kill` as I prepared to take strike! Nothing really changes.

And so to Old Trafford and to borrow the old phrase, `The Theatre of Dreams`. Without wishing to upset MCC, I hope everyone gets right behind us. We are well into the series now and it will be head to head from now on. Don`t miss any of it.

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