E Rodrigopolle: Michael Atherton must be smiling (24 Feb 1998)

24, February 1998

Michael Atherton must be smiling

E Rodrigopolle

Michael Atherton the England captain whose captaincy is on the blocks if he loses the present series to the West Indies must be a relieved man now that he has led his side to victory over the men from the Caribbean in the Second Test to be one all with four to go.

When England lost the First test Atherton showed the spoil sport in him by blaming the wicket for their defeat. Apparently Atherton would have wanted a wicket friendly to them and one which would have brought them victory.

It is the fashion now for losing captains to whinge. It was no different with Atherton. But he was made to rue his folly by the Windies spectators who heckled him for making irresponsible statements and condemning the wicket.

An experienced captain like Atherton should have known that the wicket was the same for both teams. Therefore to blame the wicket for the defeat was unbecoming and unacceptable.

Had Atherton accepted defeat and admitted that the better side won his rating as a sporting captain would have soared. Instead by whingeing after the defeat he lost favour.

If Atherton cried over the wicket that was laid out for the first Test then the Second test wicket too was as bad as the first one if one considers John Crowley lbw where the ball snaked giving the batsmen no chance.

But England won the match and it was a smiling Atherton who savoured victory and not a hum was heard from him of how the wicket behaved.

Atherton will do well to be determined in defeat and humble in victory.

It is said that England play for prestige Australia for glory and the West Indies for glamour. Apparently it was the prestige that Atherton was valiantly trying to save when he made those uncalled for remarks after the First test defeat.

For Brian Lara leading the Windies for the first time as test captain, the First test triumph would have been something to cherish as when he broke the two individual world batting records.

He proved an able leader and if what critics say and think about his leadership becomes true, then West Indies cricket is in safe hands and there is no reason why Caribbean cricket should not be long in coming on par with their champion and great teams of the past.

With four more tests to go there is no doubt that the Windies would be stung by their defeat and unwind not to lose a home series while England now that they have raised their game would want to be in the winning lane. Great cricket is there on the cards!.

From the Caribbean we move on to former apartheid land where the Pakistanis are facing the South Africans and where the first of three tests ended in a draw with rain being the victor.

Before the First test the tour was in the balance what with injury to two frontline players in Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammed Akram who alleged that they were mugged on their way to the hotel.

The Test was delayed by a day and Mushtaq had recovered sufficiently to take his place in the team.

The mugging incident however has left a bad taste with the credibility of the allegations made to be proved yet. However Dr. Ali Bacher, Director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa whose abilities as a sporting diplomat continues to grow was quick to move in and settle matters to the satisfaction of the Pakistanis and alls well that ends well with the Pakistanis promising to continue with the tour.

Ali Bacher has also provided the necessary security to the visiting players and Bacher who is doing wonders for his country's and world cricket scored once again with his superb persuasion.

Men of Ali's stature is what world cricket needs today.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)