Dav Whatmore - 4 May 2001
| Dav Whatmore National Coach |
In a country that has endured a winter marred by grating weather, a foot and mouth epidemic, a one-sided Premiership, and some stuttering performances in the World Cup qualifiers, the cricket fans are still smiling. England's cricketers enjoyed a winter of unprecedented success and their supporters will now be looking forward to a prosperous summer.
So far the battle for the Ashes has dominated the back pages, but the prospect of a clash between Pakistan and England is an intriguing one. In the one corner there is England, a team who played slow, methodical, determined, and prolonged cricket throughout the winter. A side who remorsefully ground down their opposition over the first four days of the Tests, before making a push for victory on the final one.
In the opposite corner is Pakistan, led by the Waqar Younis and coached by Pybus, who are the very antithesis of England. The low tempo, sustained confrontation is not for them. They come out of the blocks running, eager to dismantle the opposition in the most spectacular manner possible. When on song their prodigiously talented team produces a brand of high intensity cricket 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 are also genuine all rounders. Who in the right minds would cherish the prospect of facing Wasim, Waqar, Akhtar, and Razzaq on a damp May wicket?
Nevertheless, I expect England to win the two-Test series because they are confident, mentally strong, and playing to a game plan in tune with their natural skills. The batting order typifies their newfound form. The top order has to ability to compile a big score, but also to recover from a poor start. The lower order put a high price on their wickets and they are therefore a very difficult side to bowl out.
Their bowling department may not match Pakistan's for it's sheer natural talent, but it is far more consistent. When they are bowling well they can run through a side, but, crucially, when they come off the boil they usually remain tight and runs are still hard to find, which maintains the pressure on the batsmen.
Everyone recognises Darren Gough as a world-class performer. He would play in any international side. The renaissance of Andrew Caddick, however, has been a vital component of their recent success. If he was knocked about two years ago his head would invariably drop because of his sagging self belief. Nowadays though he is playing with terrific confidence, appears mentally stronger, 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 much of the season and England employs four fast bowlers. With the slippery White and probing Cork to complement the opening duo they should be able to pile the 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 in control. If that kind of unity prevails this summer then England will have their work cut out to record their fifth consecutive series win.
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| Teams | Sri Lanka. |
| Players/Umpires | Nasser Hussain, Andy Caddick, Michael Vaughan. |
| Tours | Pakistan in England |
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