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Craig HillHere’s hoping for a jolly good show chaps
December 13th 2006 22:34
Every cricket fan in the country should be hoping that the benign nature of the Perth surface is not matched by a result that will leave the cricketing public pining for more in the post Christmas period knowing however that the two remaining tests are only showpieces to fill out the test match summer.
That England need to win this test is stating the obvious and although it is possible after a draw in Perth that wins in the remaining two tests will allow them to retain the Ashes the reality is that two wins on the bounce in Australia is rarely seen.
England might take note of the some of the history surrounding Perth test matches since their inception in 1970-71 to galvanise their approach to this all important match. Perth requires real mongrel to succeed. Ask Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee how felt as they terrorised the English in 1974-75. Ask Javed Miandad how he stood up to Denniss Lillee in 1980-81 wielding his bat as the ultimate gesture of defiance. Finally ask Curtly Ambrose if he was going to pull back on the throttle one little bit because the cracks were almost big enough to swallow the ball in 1996-97.
There was certainly no standing back waiting for things to happen in these fixtures and England will need to realign their previously sheepish approach to match the famous acts of yesteryear at the WACA.
In regaining their mongrel streak bowlers like Harmison will need to aim for Justin Langer’s elbow early in his innings rather than waiting until it is too late. Hoggard will need to mimic Simon Jones and fling the leather back at the batsmen rather than turn and walk back to his mark. Ponting’s helmet may need to be tested once again with the added pace and bounce of someone like Sajid Mahmood. Flintoff will need to rediscover that the ball can disappear just as quickly off the bat as it came onto it through free flowing stroke play rather than tentative pushes. Pedestrian performers like Giles may need to be replaced by genuine competitors like Monty Panesar and the likes of Collingwood and Pieterson will need to continue and build on their fighting efforts so far.
For the sake of the series and the summer an even contest in Perth is a must. Here’s hoping for an English win or at the very least a drawn result to keep the series alive at the MCG, the quality of the cricket coverage in the press over the quiet pre-Christmas period depends on a live series.
That England need to win this test is stating the obvious and although it is possible after a draw in Perth that wins in the remaining two tests will allow them to retain the Ashes the reality is that two wins on the bounce in Australia is rarely seen.
England might take note of the some of the history surrounding Perth test matches since their inception in 1970-71 to galvanise their approach to this all important match. Perth requires real mongrel to succeed. Ask Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee how felt as they terrorised the English in 1974-75. Ask Javed Miandad how he stood up to Denniss Lillee in 1980-81 wielding his bat as the ultimate gesture of defiance. Finally ask Curtly Ambrose if he was going to pull back on the throttle one little bit because the cracks were almost big enough to swallow the ball in 1996-97.
There was certainly no standing back waiting for things to happen in these fixtures and England will need to realign their previously sheepish approach to match the famous acts of yesteryear at the WACA.
In regaining their mongrel streak bowlers like Harmison will need to aim for Justin Langer’s elbow early in his innings rather than waiting until it is too late. Hoggard will need to mimic Simon Jones and fling the leather back at the batsmen rather than turn and walk back to his mark. Ponting’s helmet may need to be tested once again with the added pace and bounce of someone like Sajid Mahmood. Flintoff will need to rediscover that the ball can disappear just as quickly off the bat as it came onto it through free flowing stroke play rather than tentative pushes. Pedestrian performers like Giles may need to be replaced by genuine competitors like Monty Panesar and the likes of Collingwood and Pieterson will need to continue and build on their fighting efforts so far.
For the sake of the series and the summer an even contest in Perth is a must. Here’s hoping for an English win or at the very least a drawn result to keep the series alive at the MCG, the quality of the cricket coverage in the press over the quiet pre-Christmas period depends on a live series.
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