Postcard (5 March 1999)

5 March 1999

Postcard

from Justin langer

Day 1: First Test, Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain Trinidad

Well it finally arrived, and after 'Tugga' won his first toss as Australian Test captain, one of the toughest days of Test cricket I have played in was completed at 5:10 p.m.

For a cricket purist, today's proceedings were an enthralling battle of concentration and patience. Only 170 runs scored in 90 overs may have been a one-day cricket lover's worst nightmare, but in terms of Test cricket this was as tough as it gets.

The reason for the slow scoring rate was due in part to the Queen's Park pitch, which is as slow as a turtle with a sore foot. Add to the pitch a very slow outfield, which is as slow as a turtle with two sore feet and today was always going to be very hard work.

It would also be crazy for me to take anything away from a very disciplined West Indian bowling attack. Facing great bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh is never an easy task and today was no exception. They were ruthless in their line and length giving us no favours all day. Backed up by debutante Pedro Collins and Mervyn Dillon, we saw first-hand why West Indies cricket is renowned for its depth of supreme fast bowlers.

From a personal point of view it is no disgrace being Courtney Walsh's 398th Test match wicket. In my Test career I have been very fortunate to have been in New Zealand when Allan Border broke the batting world record; in Pakistan when Ian Healy broke the wicket-keeping world record and Mark Taylor scored his 334; and now in Trinidad when Courtney Walsh took his 400th Test wicket.

Courtney is not only one of the greatest ever bowlers, he is also one of the gentlemen of world cricket. He is an extraordinary player as he has been playing cricket year in and year out since he was 21 years old. Playing county cricket in the off season, Courtney's body must cry in disbelief every time he is thrown a cricket ball by his captain. He is a credit to himself and his country, 400 Test wickets is simply sensational.

Enjoying today's slow proceedings was a capacity crowd at the newly refurbished Queen's Park Oval. As usual the well renowned 'Trinni Posse' were in full cry all day. The Caribbean version of England's Barmy Army, I am sure that West Indian cricket wouldn't be the same without the music and revelry offered by the 'Posse'. They add great life and atmosphere to any cricket ground, and to their credit they are always on their best behaviour as they follow their beloved cricketers with the greatest of goodwill and humour. It's music and dancing all day in the 'Trinni Posse' Stand, no wonder a huge Aussie contingent was attracted to their area for day one of the first Test.

It was fantastic seeing so many Aussie supporters in Trinidad today. Playing away from home is always made easier when some of your own supporters are there to slightly even up the numbers.

The mood in our camp is pretty good. If it was hard for us today, you can be sure it is going to be just as tough for them tomorrow.

From Trinidad, JL