by Camilla Rossiter
Thursday, January 3, 2002

On a bitingly cold evening in west London England captain Clare Connor is looking forward to the rollercoaster ride of emotions that only a cricket tour of India can bring. Curled up in an armchair in the squad's Heathrow hotel, she says her main goal for the tour is to win the five-match one-day series.

"This will be my third trip to India. My first England tour was there in 1995, and then I was there again for the 1997 World Cup. There's no better place for women to tour because of the appreciative crowds. Cricket's like another religion there and in the women's World Cup final they had over 60,000 people which is amazing.

"I know it's a bit of a cliché but it is a massive culture shock. But as long as you remember that the cricket is the priority it helps you deal with some of the more difficult aspects. I had dysentery when I went there the first time and was in hospital for three days which was awful. Then when in 1997 it came back almost as soon as the plane hit the runway. So, fingers crossed, I'll be more healthy this time!"

This will be England's first series under their new coach, John Harmer, who was appointed in July 2001. He comes with quite a pedigree, having led the Australian women's side to three World Cup finals, including one victory, in his eight years in charge. An expert in biomechanics and a passionate advocate of a more scientific approach to cricket coaching, he has much in common with fellow Australian John Buchanan.

Connor is hugely, infectiously enthusiastic about Harmer. "He's fantastic," she beams. "Really exciting to work with. He's got a very pure vision about cricket and has some quite unorthodox techniques – all very unlike your traditional English coaching manual.

"The old adage of getting your foot to the pitch of the ball – well, that's not important according to John. His methods are radically different, and the quicker they spread into the rest of English cricket the better."

So can Harmer do a Duncan Fletcher and revitalise the national side? Connor believes the signs are good. "When he took on the Australian team they were placed in the world rankings where we are now. And he very quickly turned them into a great team – probably one of the best women's teams there's ever been."

She says the pair have struck up an instant rapport, not unlike the Fletcher-Hussain partnership. "John and I share similar dreams and ideas. Whether that develops into a world-beating relationship, we'll have to see."

But already she says changes are visible in the squad. "John saw our opening left-arm bowler Lucy Pearson about a year or two ago and said: `She's a good bowler, but I could make her a great bowler and add a yard or two of pace.' So when he took over, she said 'Let's see what you can do with me now you've got the chance!' And she's made significant changes to her action thanks to John."

Connor knows it is now time to put the drills and techniques into practice. She leads a relatively inexperienced side, including four players yet to make their debuts, and is delighted with the team spirit shown so far.

"The squad has bonded very well. It's been in a state of flux for the last 18 months, and then we had the bad news that some players couldn't make the tour because of massive university commitments. That threw things into a bit of disarray, but the players have responded really well.

"There will be some tough moments on this tour – some real highs and lows and no two days will be the same. But there's a huge amount of exuberance and passion to do well, especially from the younger players. That's why it'll be such an exciting tour to captain."

The only possible cloud on the horizon is the uncertain political situation in India, but Connor brushes off any security fears. Only one member of the squad has a young family and there have been no requests to pull out.

Connor says the fact that the women have to juggle full-time jobs or courses with their cricket only makes them keener. "We have a strong sense of perspective that the cricket can't be everything to us, although we would like it to be. When we go on tour, we know it's what we've worked and sacrificed for.

"Our incentive is to put on the England shirt. There's nothing else that drives you."

Tour itinerary
January 6 1st ODI Chennai
January 8 2nd ODI Hyderabad
January 9 3rd ODI Hyderabad
January 14-17 Test match Mumbai
January 20 4th ODI Bangalore
January 24 5th ODI Pune

England squad Clare Connor (capt), Caroline Atkins, Jane Cassar (wk), Sarah Clarke, Mandie Godliman, Dawn Holden, Kate Lowe, Laura Newton, Lucy Pearson, Clare Taylor, Claire Taylor, Arran Thompson, Helen Wardlaw, Laura Spragg.

Camilla Rossiter is an editorial assistant with Wisden.com

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