Need for speed

From Ward Parry, United Kingdom
Regardless of how our fragile, underperforming batsmen fare, I think what has been so perfectly illustrated in the opening day's play of the fourth Test match is the importance of bowlers who can bowl at pace. Duncan Fletcher was all too aware of it and it is why he spent so long building a team that would fulfil that need. Don't get me wrong, I like Sidebottom. The team requires a workman, Hoggard did it, now it's Sidey's turn, and he has the added effect of being a lefty - and fundamentally he's good.

The problem is when you have an opening pair of similar bowlers, who don't bowl consistently express deliveries, on flat tracks you will inevitably struggle. We have seen, with the exception of the first innings South Africa played, how a mediocre batting side can flourish against fairly timid bowling. It's all about time, time to see the ball, time to play the ball, and time to make runs. There exists an intensity to pace bowling, one which disrupts this comfort zone that batsmen can afford to play in.

Had Harmison being working in tandem with Freddie at Edgbaston, with Jimmy supporting, I can assure you Vaughan would still have been skippering the side. Why oh why? Harmison has to spearhead the attack. Ok, he's prone to lapses in form, confidence and rhythm. Never has a player been under so much constant scrutiny. Why? Because he is so good. I don't think there is a player out there who would argue with the fact that when his rhythm and form are there he is the best bowler in the world - and by some distance.

He is a towering man, who bowls at mid 90s with accuracy and bounce - we've seen it before, and we saw it today. I'm happy to take the periods of mediocrity for the devastation of today. However, I think the second (or third, I lose count) coming of Harmison may actually be the real deal. He thrives under the umbrella of a pack bowler rather than the individual on whose shoulders the attack lies. Vaughan was unfortunate to lose, Freddie, Jones, and Tres - ripping the heart of the team from his grasp. But pertinently it left Harmy with the sole responsibility of carrying the attack. He's back where he belongs and I for one have missed him.