da supremo： In a country that has endured a winter marred by grating weather, a foot andmouth epidemic, a one-sided Premiership, and some stuttering performances inthe World Cup qualifiers, the cricket fans are still smiling
da jogodeouro： Dav Whatmore04-May-2001Dav Whatmore
National CoachIn a country that has endured a winter marred by grating weather, a foot andmouth epidemic, a one-sided Premiership, and some stuttering performances inthe World Cup qualifiers, the cricket fans are still smiling. England’scricketers enjoyed a winter of unprecedented success and their supporterswill now be looking forward to a prosperous summer.So far the battle for the Ashes has dominated the back pages, but theprospect of a clash between Pakistan and England is an intriguing one. Inthe one corner there is England, a team who played slow, methodical,determined, and prolonged cricket throughout the winter. A side whoremorsefully ground down their opposition over the first four days of theTests, before making a push for victory on the final one.In the opposite corner is Pakistan, led by the Waqar Younis and coached byPybus, who are the very antithesis of England. The low tempo, sustainedconfrontation is not for them. They come out of the blocks running, eager todismantle the opposition in the most spectacular manner possible. When onsong their prodigiously talented team produces a brand of high intensitycricket that no team in the world can match.Nasser Hussain will be praying that Pakistan don’t play to their potential.On paper, they have a fearsome battery of fast bowlers, most of whom arealso genuine all rounders. Who in the right minds would cherish the prospectof facing Wasim, Waqar, Akhtar, and Razzaq on a damp May wicket?Nevertheless, I expect England to win the two-Test series because they areconfident, mentally strong, and playing to a game plan in tune with theirnatural skills. The batting order typifies their newfound form. The toporder has to ability to compile a big score, but also to recover from a poorstart. The lower order put a high price on their wickets and they aretherefore a very difficult side to bowl out.Their bowling department may not match Pakistan’s for it’s sheer naturaltalent, but it is far more consistent. When they are bowling well they canrun through a side, but, crucially, when they come off the boil they usuallyremain tight and runs are still hard to find, which maintains the pressureon the batsmen.Everyone recognises Darren Gough as a world-class performer. He would playin any international side. The renaissance of Andrew Caddick, however, hasbeen a vital component of their recent success. If he was knocked about twoyears ago his head would invariably drop because of his sagging self belief.Nowadays though he is playing with terrific confidence, appears mentallystronger, and his performances are therefore consistently impressive.England’s biggest weakness at the moment is their spin department. I wouldn’t be surprised if Michael Vaughan was the sole spinner in the side for muchof the season and England employs four fast bowlers. With the slippery Whiteand probing Cork to complement the opening duo they should be able to pilethe pressure onto the Pakistani top order.It should be a great series. No one quite knows how Pakistan will perform,but they looked together in Sharjah and Waqar appeared to be a captain incontrol. If that kind of unity prevails this summer then England will havetheir work cut out to record their fifth consecutive series win.
