ROBIN_SMITH_ARTICLE_21SEP93

Adrenalin charge is key to quelling explosive atmosphere England's mix of experience and enthusiasm could prove a winning combination on the tour of the West Indies, says Robin Smith By Robin Smith The newcomers to the England squad announced this week for the tour of the West Indies may be looking forward to the winter with some trepidation, in particular to being confronted with the liveliest pace attack in the world. However, I am happy with the prospect. I always feel comfortable playing in the West Indies. They play the game very hard but very fair. The way my adrenalin seems to work is much more beneficial against the quicks than the spinners. If statistics are anything to go by, my average of over 50 against the West Indies in 12 Test matches has increased my already high level of confidence when playing fast bowling. The impression of hard, fast and bouncy wickets in the West Indies is a myth. There may be inconsistent bounce in Jamaica and extra bounce in Antigua, but generally the wickets are fairly flat. One of the advantages of having been to the West Indies before is that the extraordinary atmosphere generated by an audience complete with steel bands and trumpets will not come as a shock. However, the younger players going there for the first time will bring with them fresh blood and enthusiasm. Hopefully, the experience of the more senior players will rub off on to the newer ones and likewise their fresh enthusiasm will rub off on myself, Devon Malcolm and Alec Stewart. The West Indians are a very sociable bunch and the fact that most of them play on the county circuit in England helps us to become real friends. After the fierce competition they will offer during the matches we will enjoy a rum punch or beer after the day's play. As well as fast bowlers, the West Indies have a top-class spin bowler in Carl Hooper. However, I feel comfortable against offspinners and believe I learnt a lot against Australia this summer. I will continue to work hard against spin and, in particular, against the ball that spins away from the bat and especially wrist spin. I feel that my technique has improved and with even more hard work in the nets and in the middle I will succeed in the same way that I have had such success against pace. The summer of 1993 was one of mixed fortunes for me. Having returned from a four-month tour of India and SriLanka facing spin attacks in every match and playing well in the later stages of the tour, I looked forward to facing the Australians. I began well for Hampshire and played my best one-day innings of 167 not out at Edgbaston in the one-day international. The first Test seemed to set the mode for what was for England and me a disappointing summer. I imagine everyone who saw it will remember Shane Warne's first ball to Mike Gatting. It was quite simply unplayable. That ball and the spell that followed put us all on the back foot. Had we taken the initiative in the first Test we could have put him and the Australians under pressure. In my own defence it must be said that Shane bowled at ideal times. The Australians batted so well and set such high targets that Shane was able to bowl to the exact field he wanted, with four around the bat from the word go. With Tim May bowling as well as he ever has with tight control and spin, May and Warne were superb in tandem, dovetailing and complementing each other. Being dropped for the Oval Test was very disappointing but if anything it helped to remind me of something I have always felt. After five and a half years' consecutive cricket for England, I had never became complacent and being dropped reinforced just how much playing for England means to me. (Thanks: The Independent and Muthu) posted by Vicky on r.s.c.