NatWest Trophy Final: Law can turn fury into brilliant strokeplay

Saturday 6 September 1997

NatWest Trophy Final: Law can turn fury into brilliant strokeplay

Charles Randall on the Australian batting threat to Warwickshire

ESSEX will remember Stuart Law as a "naturally pleasant man" and as an aggressive run-maker who almost single-hand- edly took them to tomorrow`s NatWest Trophy final, but the Australian looks like becoming better known, outside the club, for his anger during the semi-final.

Law`s bout of temper against Glamorgan led to a -L300 fine from Essex, though that was probably a harsh sanction in view of the circumstances. It had nothing to do with the -L1,000 fines incurred by Mark Ilott and Robert Croft for jostling during the same infamous match at Chelmsford.

The manic power with which Law struck the ball this week during his championship innings of 155 against Lancashire in Manchester suggests that his fury has been turned on a few hapless bowlers, with Warwickshire a potential target tomorrow.

The Queenslander has class and steel in his batting, which accounts for his 44 one-day caps for Australia, and one could ascribe to bad luck a near absence of Test recognition by the age of 28.

Law`s two-year sojourn in England has been notable for frustration as much as success with Essex, especially when he missed last year`s NatWest final - a big occasion even for Australians - due to international one-day duty in Sri Lanka. And another thought. He missed a recall to Australia`s team for the sixth Test at the Oval three weeks ago only because of insufficient ability with the ball.

If Law had been chosen, however, his skill as a batsman might well have won Australia the match on a sub-standard pitch. Shaun Young, a lesser batsman plucked from Gloucestershire, bowled only eight overs for no wickets.

Law earned his single Test appearance as a replacement for the injured Steve Waugh in 1995-96 against Sri Lanka at Perth, when Rick Ponting also made his debut. An innings of 54 not out was not enough to keep him in the frame, whereas Ponting, preferred to him for this summer`s Australian tour, went on to make a hundred on his Ashes debut.

Such frustrations have remained with Law, voted Essex`s player of the year in 1996. He is one of the few batsmen on the circuit who can intimidate bowlers with orthodox strokeplay, especially strong through the covers.

Peter Edwards, Essex`s secretary, has noted how well Law settled in at Chelmsford from the start and how he was willing to spend time with members. "These things matter," wrote Edwards in this year`s Essex handbook. "It appeared as if Stuart didn`t have to go out of his way to achieve social success - he is a naturally pleasant man."

Graham Gooch reckons that Law is crucial to Essex and is as effective as Mark Waugh, one of his predecessors. "He picks the ball up very early and he hits it hard," he said. "If he gets chosen for Australia, I would be surprised if he wasn`t successful, but his problem is opportunity."

The semi-final win over championship contenders Glamorgan brought Law to the attention of a big television audience who saw his match-winning 90 in 73 balls and the beamer incident that led to the fine.

Darren Thomas struck him on the hand with a high full toss when he had scored 44. Glamorgan`s fielders decided he was making a meal of the incident and Thomas felt his apology should have been acknowledged by the batsman.

Law, having thrown down his bat and given TV lip-readers a field day, continued with what was later diagnosed as a hairline fracture. They say anger is a great motivator. That could be significant for Warwickshire at Lord`s tomorrow.

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