Mark Nicholas: England take to wing with a new desire (26 May 1997)

Monday 26 May 1997

England take to wing with a new desire

By Mark Nicholas

BARELY a handful of teams have been successful in any form of cricket without first applying the basic disciplines of the game and then bringing flair to their performance. For some time now, and for a collection of muddled reasons, English cricket has been confused by the adoption of unorthodox methods which have worked for a few and misled many who have played in county cricket.

The aspects of England`s successful week in the one-day matches which most impressed were the straight and intelligent bowling, allied to crafty movement of the ball; the thrilling fielding, which had a touch of the South Africans` athleticism to it; and the calm authority of the batting, which answered most of the tricky questions set by the Australian bowlers.

It is unfair, and would be typically English, to suggest that a swallow doesn`t make a summer because that swallow, if it is bright and well directed, can be the first in a migration from the hapless to the hopeful, and beyond as well if the flock is prepared to tuck in behind it and respond to the lessons of previous shortcomings.

The first signs of England flying in from the cold came in Wellington at the start of the second Test in New Zealand last February. The signs coincided with the arrival in New Zealand of Lord MacLaurin - the boss of English cricket who has given the game the strong character it secretly craves and must now trust - and with the luck of losing the toss, when play that first day was restricted to one short evening session.

In that session, England made the most of their luck - New Zealand chose to bat on the lively pitch - and by bowling and catching with the enthusiasm and skill of winners, captured six New Zealand wickets for 50-odd. England were on a high and could spread their wings with confidence; these past few days have been the extension of that sparky dominance in New Zealand.

The first of them on Thursday, at Headingley, was the day they repelled any self-doubt - remember 40 for four and an uncertain looking Adam Hollioake at the crease - and by winning so resoundingly catalysed yesterday`s trophy-lifting smile. Saturday, at the Oval, was the day they knew it for themselves and illustrated as much with a relaxed and efficient performance that featured all the basic disciplines and a great deal of flair, too.

Best of all on Saturday was the way in which the players fed off each other, the way the bowlers formed partnerships, the way the fielders knew instinctively when to back up for each other. If the phrase for ideal and skilful harmony in football is "total football" then for a time on Saturday, and remember on a batsmen-friendly pitch, England discovered "total cricket".

Michael Atherton wouldn`t admit as much, being a stubborn so-and-so, but I`d wager that underneath that implied defiance he has never felt so comfortable leading his country.

Applause, then, to the three wise men, the selecting three Gs, for their emphasis on youth in their party of 15, cleverly balanced by over-30s Alec Stewart and Phillip DeFreitas, worked like a dream. Even more rivetingly, the choice and success of both Hollioakes was the sort of treat English cricket has not had since Dominic Cork ran through the West Indians at Lord`s nearly two years ago.

Atherton mentioned after Headingley that it was heroic cricket that England needed, not heroes. He was spot-on to a point and he was doubtless looking to deflect the probable fawning over Adam Hollioake (he had not seen Ben`s knock yesterday by that stage). But one rather follows from the other and heroes give the English people hope and give their children inspiration. It is how the heroes cope with their adulation that matters rather than the mere heroism. Shane Warne will tell you.

None of this is new to Australia, whose recent impressive cricket has been based on the age-old principles. For once, they got their sums wrong, being "underdone", as Allan Border might say, in their preparation for the series.

They might admit that England have surprised them, so now beware the wounded kangaroo and do not gloat at these outstanding cricketers for they will entertain and surely remain favourites to outwit England yet. Just no longer be agog at England. Those wings are still spreading and a feeling persists that the energy and application of Texaco Trophy time 1997 is here to stay.

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