Ahmedabad Test, Day 1
Tuesday, December 11, 2001

Obviously the loss of Graham Thorpe is a huge blow for the team. It's not for me to go into any details, as it's a private matter that's been brewing for a few weeks now. He came to my room late last night, we talked for about an hour, and eventually we realised he wouldn't be able to give it his best shot. Anyone who plays at this level knows that if you aren't with it 100% up top, you are going to struggle. Graham made a strong decision for the team, and for his country, and we decided it would be best for all concerned if he went home to sort things out.

Michael Vaughan is a fine player and worthy of his place in the side, but there's no doubt that we'll miss Graham's experience and know-how. Really it is just the latest in a long run of things that have gone wrong for our team.

We can't be too unhappy with our position at the end of today's play. Speaking with Duncan [Fletcher] afterwards, we agreed we'd sooner have four down than six, that way we could have Craig White in with an established batter rather than the tail. But it was a good toss to win … and yes, I did win a toss at last! I've never understood it – I've just called heads throughout, and it was bound to come up my way one day.

But this is going to be a good pitch for at least two days, maybe more. It will probably get lower and more uneven for the seamers – we're not far from the desert here, and the red soil in these parts isn't as hard as the clay up at Mohali, so our job is stay near par for as long as possible. Quite what par is … it's hard to say – as long as they don't get too many more than us first time up. I'd reckon it's a 350 pitch, so if Fozzie [James Foster] and Chalky can get us another 80 tomorrow we should be in with a shout.

It was good to see James Foster getting some time in the middle. He was really disappointed with himself after his first game, but Graham Gooch bagged a pair in his first match, and he didn't turn out too bad. There's nothing you can do just sitting in the pavilion – you have to get out there, and it was a shame the day ended really, as he looked to be getting to grips with Test cricket. He'll have to start all over again tomorrow.

Andy Flintoff has had a tough time with the bat – he arrived as a late replacement, but at least as an allrounder he has his bowling to fall back on. As captain I can't ever criticise anyone except on attitude, and as I've said before, Freddie's attitude has been exemplary since the start of the Zimbabwe tour. It's no disgrace to get out to Anil Kumble, and all any of us can do is work hard. Kumble's such a big threat, with all the variations and angles he comes up with, and we are still working out how best to play him – we've tried to use the bat more in this Test, but you just have to look at the inexperience in our side to realise what we are up against. The conditions here will always suit the opposition – we just have to stay in the game when the pressure is on.

I must admit I'd expected a more turgid day's cricket. But then, Tresco rarely gets a slow hundred so our scoring rate was always going to be quicker than the wicket suggested. As for the rest of us, it is not how we get our runs, but how many we get. The first session tomorrow is going to be crucial. This wicket will be at its best today and tomorrow, so even if we don't score many, we have to keep them off it. And after that it'll be discipline that counts. This won't be a seamer's paradise, no balls pinging from leg to hit off. We have to stay in the game, at least until the third innings, and then hope that Daws and Ash can come up with something on the final day. But all that is a long way off yet.

Nasser Hussain was talking to Andrew Miller. His thoughts will appear on Wisden.com throughout the Test and one-day series.

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