Settled England Can Build On Solid Foundations (6 Mar 1997)

6 March 1997

Settled England can build on solid foundations

Christopher Martin-Jenkins

IT was hard for most people to see it in the wake of the one-day defeats in Zimbabwe in the first three days of 1997, but there was always a good chance that England would do much better in New Zealand. By winning the Test series 2-0 and five of their six first-class matches they achieved a significant revival, writes Christopher Martin-Jenkins

The only reward for getting slightly the better of their drawn series in Zimbabwe, and for coming within one wicket of winning all three Tests in New Zealand, is the retention of seventh place in the world ratings. That would swiftly alter, however, if the improvement were to be continued against Australia, the West Indies and South Africa in the next three series.

For the moment, judgment has to be reserved. David Lloyd was determined that his team should play aggressively, frequently repeating, as a sort of mantra, some observations made by your correspondent more than a year ago about the Australian approach to the game. England`s astute and passionate coach perhaps needs to stress, at the same time, that for all their aggression, the Australians stick to the basics. Too often England do not and, curiously, there are still times when they do not put the kind of intense pressure on opponents which leads to mistakes.

It is, nonetheless, rare for them to return from a tour knowing virtually what their next Test team will be. Nick Knight has not established himself as the opening partner for Atherton, but his catching is quite exceptional and he cannot be written off. The other five batsmen are almost certain to play in the first Test at Edgbaston in June and the bowling will probably be unchanged too if Dominic Cork can rediscover an inswinger.

With luck, they can build on the confidence and togetherness which came from winning the Wellington and Christchurch Tests, knowing that, under Lord MacLaurin`s strong lead, they have a supportive England Cricket Board behind them but also that, with rivals around, nothing is assured.

Mark Butcher will start the season as the first batting reserve, with Graeme Hick and Owais Shah in the running too and, if he does himself justice, Chris Adams also. Adam Hollioake will be pressing for a chance at six or seven and so, before long, will his brother Ben. Phil Tufnell may well be pushed by Ashley Giles, while Dean Headley will not accept the likelihood of Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick and Cork going through an entire Ashes series together. The progress of Alex Tudor will also be watched with interest.

There were too many words emanating from the England camp in Zimbabwe and too few actions to match them. When England do not win at cricket all sorts of excuses are produced but there is only one reason: they do not play good enough cricket consistently enough. The first rule of bowling is to bowl straight to a good length. The art of batting, when the technique has been mastered, is to play the right shot for the right ball. Those essentials never change.

This side worked very hard to get fit, which is absolutely right. The players made great personal sacrifices when presented with an itinerary which should never have been accepted. It would have been more sensible to have gone to Zimbabwe a month earlier when the weather was more reliable, to have had a week longer to acclimatise to the altitude and to have risked a possible break in team spirit by allowing the players home for two weeks to spend Christmas with their wives and families. But the bottom line of their cricket in Africa was that it was not good enough.

That much said, many observers seemed to think that because a side are called Mashonaland or Zimbabwe - names unfamiliar in the history of the game - they will be pushovers. That England could win only three of their nine matches was as much Zimbabwe`s triumph as England`s failure.

The wholly contrasting results on the two legs of the tour would be emphasised if a composite Test side from England, Zimbabwe and New Zealand were to be picked. Only Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle would get into it from the present New Zealand side, although it might not be long before Daniel Vettori joined them and both Heath Davis and Geoff Allott should have better days ahead.

The side might read: Atherton (capt), Andy Flower, Stewart (wkt), Thorpe, Fleming, Astle, Cork, Paul Strang, Croft, Streak, Gough. A side of six Englishmen, three Zimbabweans and two Kiwis just about reflects the merits of the three countries as they played. David Houghton might still earn a batting place, but let us appoint him as coach.

Only Stewart would make it into a current World XI, as just reward for his commanding recent form as a batsman/wicketkeeper. But with the exception of Cork, who improved as a batsman but failed to find his best bowling form; of Nasser Hussain, whose superb fielding and mature batting were an inspiration in New Zealand; and of John Crawley, who looked England`s best batsman in Zimbabwe and was run out when promising much at Auckland, the eclectic side otherwise reflects the individual successes of England`s tour.

Atherton`s transformation from a beleaguered captain, completely out of touch as a batsman, to the dependable player of old, commanding his team with an increasingly sure touch and enjoying their complete respect and affection, has been a study in resolution. He should look back on his 118 at Christchurch as one of the greatest innings of his life. The little crisis which followed his dismissal was overcome stoutly by Cork and Crawley.

That final day of the Test series made all the difference to everyone`s perception of England. Lloyd had let himself down in his moment of chagrin at Bulawayo. Now he and Atherton might have been forgiven for saying "I told you so" to their critics. All credit to them for resisting the temptation.

Two legacies of the tour will be the appointment of a press officer, to help smooth relations between the voracious media and players, and the first of several courses to help players cope better with the sort of cultural differences with which they failed to come to terms in Zimbabwe.

If Atherton`s tour was eventually a triumph of character, so was Alec Stewart`s. He was a champion from the outset, proving himself the ideal No 3 and keeping well enough to give the loyal and unfortunate Jack Russell no hope of getting back unless Stewart should be injured. He will bat at three and keep wicket for Surrey this season and even if England were to unearth another Ian Botham overnight, there would be no reason to revert to a specialist `keeper.

Gough`s 19 wickets in the three Tests against New Zealand speak for themselves, and Robert Croft was the other great success story. His off-spin bowling has been from the top drawer in Test, first-class and one-day cricket. He can beat batsmen on both sides; he varies his pace and curve; he spins the ball sharply and he has excellent control. I suspect he is the best British off-spinner since Fred Titmus. His Welshness, moreover, has added variety and personality to the dressing room. He is an ebullient, positive presence, who mixes well with all sorts. Furthermore, he will get valuable Test runs in due course.

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