Postcard (12 March, 1999)

12 March, 1999

Postcard

from Justin Langer

Preparing for the second Test in the reggae capital of the world

It would almost seem criminal not to visit the Bob Marley Museum when you visit Kingston, Jamaica. With this in mind, 'Tugga', 'Slats' and yours truly took a trip through the Kingston traffic for a tour of Jamaica's reggae legend.

If you love reggae music then Jamaica is the place to be. The reggae tones act as a perfect relaxant, especially if you have a Test match to play tomorrow.

If there was any fear of complacency after the first Test, you can take it from my legs, that our tireless coaching staff has very quickly eliminated any prospect of this setting into the team. In pretty indifferent training conditions we have worked harder in the last two days than we have for a long time. It is no wonder the Australian Test cricket team is currently the best in the world. Over the last two days it has been amazing to hear from different people, how surprised they are to see the team working so relentlessly.

Not only are we working hard to maintain a high standard, we are also lucky to have an incredible team spirit that keeps pushing us to reach our goal of dominating this Test series. For as long as I have been involved with the Australian Test team, the dominating factors to our success have been an outstanding work ethic and unbreakable team morale.

Mark Taylor deserved the credit for a lot of this and now Steve Waugh is continuing to oversee a very close unit. Coach Geoff Marsh also deserves to enjoy the accolades of a successful outfit as it is he who has helped set a strong foundation in the team.

After last week's victory we are all excited about the prospect of tomorrow's second Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica. For a prediction, I will say that Warney and Stuie MacGill will play a major part in this match. Having seen the Sabina Park pitch over the last two days it looks as though it will favour the spinners as the game progresses. Although it is very flat, the soil in the pitch looks to be of clay base.

This in mind, I feel that it will produce big, juicy rough patches for our spinners, who are very envious of the fact they didn't have a go at the West Indian batsmen in the second innings of Trinidad. Both of them are extremely keen to make a mark on the series, and I have a gut feeling that this could happen over the next few days.

Time will tell!

We are going into the game with the same XI as Trinidad. A shame for 'Punter', Colin Miller, 'Chippen' Dale and Andy Bichel, but unfortunately someone always has to miss out. These guys are also working very hard over here. It is always testing when you're not playing (been there done that!) in the Test matches, and yet they are all playing an integral part in our preparations. They know an opportunity may come up at any time, and they are working accordingly so that they are as ready as the guys who have been picked.

Everything is looking set for another big Test match, the good guys are very well prepared for day one tomorrow.

>From Jamaica, JL