England must unearth players of character (17 December 1998)

17 December 1998

England must unearth players of character

By Christopher Martin-Jenkins

THE truism that there are no easy matches in Australia will be forcibly brought home to a crestfallen but not yet demoralised England team over the next few days. No gentle Christmas respite for them, but two demanding matches, starting with the one-day game in Canberra today against a team mainly consisting of young thrusters eager to catch the eye of their captain, Mark Taylor.

Next comes the four-day match in Hobart against what would be an Australian 2nd XI if it were not missing Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie. It is, in effect, a sixth Test match, which will keep English eyes on the ball but also make demands to which they may not be equal unless they sharpen up their Adelaide form.

Since the one real advance which England have made to date is the successful start made by Alex Tudor, great care has to be taken to use him wisely in the games which remain. He is sure to play at Melbourne unless he has a disaster at Hobart and the selectors were wise, surely, to leave him out of the limited-overs match today from which he had more to lose than to gain.

With two Tests to go and a minimum of 10 one-day internationals in the new year this is not the best time for inquisitions or revolutions - there is no disgrace in losing to a better team - but it does have to be asked why, despite so much hard work, the collapses and dropped catches have continued. It was obvious from the start of the tour that England would have to play above themselves in all departments if they were to succeed in a land where, after all, they have only regained the Ashes four times in 106 years. They needed to win tosses, make good starts against the new ball, build big first-innings scores, score significant runs in the second half of the order, catch half-chances, keep the bowlers fit and bowl tightly. In the event, only the last two of those essentials has been realised. It has not been remotely enough against the best team in the world.

England have been outplayed by a stronger team, with the emphasis on team. It is Taylor's view that the difference lies more in talent than in moral strength, but it is obvious how a run of success on Australia's part has built the environment into which a journeyman cricketer like Colin Miller can thrive and excel, whereas the lack of confidence in the England team has prevented talented individuals from expressing themselves.

Like Australia when Bobby Simpson took over as coach in 1986, England's only hope is to back cricketers possessed of the necessary talent, character and dedication. Simpson and his co-selectors at that time rejected the immensly-gifted David Hookes because, as Simpson expressed it in his revealing book The Reasons Why, "his publicity outstripped his ability as a batsman and because of this he lost the opportunity to develop fully."

Simpson has related how, having identified a group of players of the necessary calibre and drive - Ian Healy being one they were soon to promote - they also determined to play the game a certain way: "mentally aggressive, busy, positive and energetic cricket had always done Australia proud in the past. So we asked the players to re-create these qualities. We said to them, 'this is the way we think we can play best if we are going to make an impact in the future. We will stick with you as long as we can, provided you back this philosophy."'

Graham Gooch and David Lloyd are saying the same things in the England camp now. There is a necessary work ethic and an impressive system of support for the players, but, as Gooch remarked yesterday in Canberra, "you don't suddenly get hard-nosed international cricketers."

It has taken Mark Ramprakash and Nasser Hussain a long time to develop that carapace which has enabled them to make the most of their ability even when the going is really tough.

If John Crawley and Graeme Hick cannot do it in the matches which remain, others will have to earn and then take the chance. Selectors have to look beyond the averages, seeking batsmen and bowlers of sound technique and genuine achievement who have shown that they respond to a big occasion and a tough situation.

There is a need, still, for a stronger moral lead for the England team: heavy drinking has been frowned upon and philandering should be too.

The get-together in the Lake District for the England A and under-19 teams last October, designed to build confidence, team skills and a sense of shared values, pointed the way towards gradual improvement.

It is bound to be gradual, sad to say, but the attempts to water the grass roots, and to reorganise the creation and logical development of promising young cricketers have accelerated since Lord MacLaurin put his drive and initiative behind the ECB.

The new crystal glass replica of the Ashes is on the way out of England. It is time Australia got tangible reward for their superiority and by rights they should get the Ashes themslves too. But, as Gooch said on his way to a reception at the prime minister's lodge last night: "We've got to prove to Australians that we can play cricket and win. We've got four games to turn it round."

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