Heat taken off England (13 January 1999)

13 January 1999

Heat taken off England

By Paul Newman in Melbourne

ENGLAND left the heat and humidity of Brisbane behind yesterday, contemplating the perfect start to their one-day series in conditions that many players considered even more demanding than the first day of the Adelaide Test.

Overcast Melbourne provided a welcome backdrop for England to savour their achievement in becoming the first team to win back-to-back internationals at the Gabba. The players were given two days off after their morning flights from Brisbane to recover from an intense period in which most of them played three games in four days.

"The longer this tournament goes on the more rest the players will need and it's good that we've got our back-to-back games out of the way and have maximum points," said David Lloyd, the England coach. "With the amount of travel involved both by air here, and by coach during the World Cup, fitness will be paramount."

England had much to be pleased about in their defeats of Australia and Sri Lanka, from the outstanding batting of Neil Fairbrother and the penetrative bowling of Alan Mullally to valuable learning experiences for the likes of Mark Alleyne, who helped Fairbrother steer England home on Monday.

The Gloucestershire captain is one of those with everything to play for in trying to secure a place in the 15-man World Cup party.

"I heard someone say that England don't know their World Cup team yet, but we know the components of our side," said Lloyd. "Personnel may change over the next couple of months but people will be brought in for specific roles."

England made one significant change on Monday by bringing in an extra seam bowler in Dean Headley, to replace Vince Wells, in an attempt to force the Sri Lankan strokemakers on to the back foot. The job was done, but England are likely to revert to a more balanced line-up for Friday's match against Australia at the MCG.

For now England are relaxed and will keep an eye on today's game between Australia and Sri Lanka in Sydney knowing that, for once, it is their opponents who have to overcome losing starts in this 10-match saga.

Darren Lehmann is hoping to have recovered from injury to replace the disappointing Damien Martyn in the Australian line-up but Steve Waugh will still be missing as will Aravinda de Silva for the Sri Lankans. It is comforting for English eyes that Australia - not to mention the world one-day champions - now have all the problems.

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