Don't get caught by the sucker punch

13 April 2012

Seconds out, round two. We certainly gave the opposition plenty to think about in round one and I reckon we were ahead on points.

I am sure the Pakistanis were surprised by England's wonderful batting. If they had read anything about the build-up to the First Test, they would have expected to spin us out for less than 100.

It shows what a successful opening partnership can do.

Another great knock from Mike Atherton. Big respect to the old fella with his creaking back and congratulations, mate, for passing 7,000 runs.

To be honest, everyone played his part, especially Thorpey with his 100. But what about all those threes? You want to build those arms up a bit, Graham.

Well done, too, to Chalky White for finding some form with the bat. Is he turning into a true Test all-rounder? But we don't need any comparisons to Ian Botham just yet. As I wrote before, with a three-match series, it is so important to get off to a good start. The first innings of Tests are always critical and the start we made should give the lads masses of confidence.

However, you must be wary of an opponent that is hurt and I reckon the Pakistanis have a few gears to go up yet.

So, fellas, no thoughts of being on that plane home to see your families or wandering minds on the Christmas festivities. Two more weeks of total focus and England could not only nick a Test win but also come away with a series victory. Then those festive celebrations can really begin.

Aside from the series in Pakistan, something that will affect cricket throughout the world is this new proposal regarding umpires. What is all that about?

Some ridiculous proposal saying you can't show any emotion on the field until the umpire has actually given the batsman out by raising the dreaded finger.

What? Don't these people know that it's war out there and, funnily enough, us players get extremely passionate about our game.

Why are the powers that be forever trying to change the laws and tinker with this and that? We aren't robots and people pay good money to see the players' passion for the game and the odd confrontation.

Let's not forget one of the best passages of play in recent years was Atherton versus Allan Donald at Trent Bridge. It was pure passionate confrontation that had spectators glued to their televisions or on the edge of their seats.

Do we want to lose that attraction, just so an umpire does not have players appealing strongly for the prize of an opponent's wicket?

An umpire must be strong enough to deal with this. As I am forever being told by umpires, 'Get on with the game, Cat,' then the same should apply to them. Let's play cricket as we feel it and as the paying audience like to see it.

Anyway, enough about umpires. I don't want to upset them too much or they might give even fewer decisions my way next season (if that's possible). They all do a fantastic job.

Looking forward to tomorrow's Second Test, the lads must go out there and do it all again. Again, the batting will be the key. Just because we have had one innings around the 500-mark does not mean it will happen again.

Also, hopefully, this time we can have that extra little bit of penetration with our bowling attack. Whether Ian Salisbury or Matthew Hoggard plays, it will need all the bowlers to chip in rather than only two of them, as it was last time.

If we can put it all together with plenty of passion and desire to win, the boys can triumph in Faisalabad.

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Matthew Hoggard

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Trent Bridge

Don't get caught by the sucker punch

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