David Lloyd: Trophy triumph does the talking for us (27 May 1997)

Tuesday 27 May 1997

Trophy triumph does the talking for us

Coach`s View: David Lloyd

LET`S start with Oasis again and Some Might Say - and some have had plenty to say. One former England opening batsman had his customary pop at the team and in particular the captain, Michael Atherton, saying his play was too slow for one-day cricket. Well, it takes one to know one.

I mention this because the management, coaching staff and players have no control over anyone`s opinions and views and the only way to influence people`s perception of the team is for the team to perform and perform well.

The bottom line is to win. I also agree with everyone who says that England`s Texaco Trophy success will have no bearing on the Ashes series. We are fully aware that we are playing the best team in world cricket and that we are second favourites. Nobody needs telling about the ability of the Australian players, their record speaks for itself.

It is far more important for us to focus on what we do well and how we can function to our maximum as a team. In the meantime, I think it right that we reflect on the team`s achievements over the three Texaco games and to enjoy our success. In this respect I mean for the whole country to enjoy success because we all have a role to play, from Atherton right through to anyone who instinctively cheered when any of the lads flung themselves at the ball on the boundary to turn a three into a two or a four into a three and then rocketed the ball back to Alec Stewart. So much for the "I can`t understand why they train, run, and work at their fitness" brigade.

Our preparation for this summer started with a threeday gettogether at Heythrop in Gloucestershire. This was widely reported as being a charm school, a seminar, and even a fashion show. It was even suggested that it was three days with Will Carling. Will is a smashing lad but three days is probably a bit excessive.

No, Will had an involvement, as did other very prominent movers and shakers in terms of motivation and team-building. We had a terrific response from the players and I firmly believe everyone came away with a better understanding of each other`s role in the game. This was not a one-off situation and will be built on in the future.

When the Texaco squad came together, initially at Headingley, I sensed a genuine warmness for each other and a commitment and belief that we would prepare well and then perform well. We had excellent co-operation from Yorkshire County Cricket Club with the facilities and the supply of young Academy lads and league players willing to bowl for hours at the team.

We brought along Peter Sleep, the former Australian legspinner and now on the coaching staff at Lancashire, Iqbal Sikandar, the former Pakistani leg-spinner currently playing in the Bolton League, and a left-arm, chinaman/googly bowler formerly on the Worcestershire staff, Amjad Mohammed.

Our fielding drills were short, sharp and varied with the lead input coming from the players and training staff. I think it is important not to just lob a few catches but to make the drills stimulating to the mind allied to specific cricket skills. They have got to be fun, too, with the players being able to laugh at each other.

Like every other team in any other sport we planned a strategy, understood each other`s role in the game, and relaxed. All the chat is interactive and the team are 100 per cent behind the captain. Come the games the talking stops and the players perform.

At Headingley all the bowlers hit their straps and 170 looked very gettable, but at 40 for four we needed a partnership and the Surrey duo of Graham Thorpe and Adam Hollioake saw us home.

On a beautiful pitch at the Oval, Australia probably felt that 249 for six was just a working total, although Michael Bevan played with great knowhow in compiling a century while receiving excellent support from Adam Gilchrist. Atherton`s hundred was high-class and again with strong support from Adam Hollioake, England cruised home.

The Texaco Trophy safe and with a team carrying a couple of niggling injuries, the time was right for Ben Hollioake, John Crawley and Chris Silverwood to come into the side.

The three Gs - Graveney, Gooch, and Gatting - left us in no doubt that 3-0 was the goal. Ben would bat at No 3 because he does that job for Surrey, rather than give him an unfamiliar role down the order.

Again, it was a lovely batting strip at Lord`s with a lightningfast outfield and as well as Mark Waugh stroked the ball around, 270 to win was well on.

Our bowlers were brilliantly led by Darren Gough and after Atherton`s early dismissal, the skinnier of the two Hollioakes eventually found his way out to the middle. He coped well (Australia would not be asking him about the weather at this stage) and enjoyed himself. Stewart helped him along from the other end and played a canny knock, Crawley looked majestic and Thorpe was busy. The three Gs were happy, too, and we all enjoyed the moment.

We can look back and say we have achieved. The players can be rightly proud of their performance. Over three matches our fielding was magnificent and the crowd responded. We know, too, that Australia, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, "will be back".

Nobody needs to tell us about our summer ahead. This is England v Australia - the Ashes. I hope the first salvo has whetted everyone`s appetite.

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