Nearly there. Right, many words have been said regarding this test. It is possibly the most important match for England that they could play because it will be the making or breaking of the team. If they are the side we fans believe (and hope) they are then they will turn the tables on the Aussies. If not, well the hard work of the past few years is wasted and will be dashed upon the rocks of dissapointment.
England's Test record since 2000 has included 7 different captains and a total of 90 matches. Of those 90 we have won 42 and lost 26. Not a bad record but not as good as could have been. Our record against Australia (despite winning the Ashes in 2005) is poor: 17 Tests, won 4, lost 11. And no England side has ever come back from 2-0 down to win a series against Australia. So the odds are stacked against us. On a purely percentage basis, Andrew Strauss is the most succesful skipper of that period...played 4, won 3, lost 0. But there is to be no change at the top for the moment. So we must press on.
Whether Flintoff is the right man for the job is now academic. He simply has to be. If he comes out with that same determination that he had at the Oval in 2005 then he could make hsitory. Make no doubt about it; Freddie has the ability to be a match-changing player. He just needs to make the best possible use of his players.
Much has been said of this Perth track. Maybe it will be good for spinners. Monty, by all accounts, is set for inclusion but this remains to be seen. Personally I'd like to see him in the side because he is more attacking than Giles. I'm not bothered that his batting is rabbit-like. He is in the squad because he is possibly the best finger spinner in the world. So use him.
If we win the toss we must bat. We must bat and score plenty of runs at a decent rate. I'd love to see 400 on the board after Day 1. Perhaps for 7 or 8. But if we lose the toss and are asked to field then we must play the most aggresive cricket ever. I remember playing a local league match last season when we were skittled for 79 on a damp pudding of a wicket. At first the skipper wanted to play defensively until several of us persuaded him that we must attack. And we did. Men round the bat. Bowled full length deliveries and had them all out for 52! Which was nice. This is how England need to play. In fact it is how they perform best. I notice this week that Angus Fraser has suggested that Michael Vaughan's presence is a distraction. This could be true to some extent but actually I suspect that he could play a very influential role in the dressing room. His captaincy was always based upon individuals taking responsibility for a team's performance. It was flexible and smart; he was always ready to make a change, move the field, tell a bowler to have a blow. This is exactly what needs to happen at Perth.
Our attack, on paper is fantastically strong. If Harmison is to be included he must take the new ball. There is no point having him standing at 3rd Man, sulking. Freddie is good with the cherry but he is a better change bowler. Hoggard and Harmison can destroy any top order in the world. If they can manage this at Perth we have a chance of saving this series. We won't win it...but we could save it.
No comments:
Post a Comment