England fast men hold key to early success

13 April 2012

Pakistan for two Tests to whet the appetite, and then along come the best team in the world for the Ashes. What a summer of cricket. Let me tell you, having played in a few Ashes series myself, there is nothing bigger and nothing that gets the heart pumping more than the possibility of beating the Aussies.

But let's not forget the Pakistanis or take them for granted, something I know the England boys won't do, even if it may be tempting for the media and public to wish the Ashes series to be upon us before tackling the first difficult task of the season.

After England's thrilling win in Karachi in the dark, Waqar Younis and his team will be out for revenge and they do have some of the best players in the world to make it happen. We all know how dangerous spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has been for Surrey in our English conditions. Mind you, bowling on the Oval pitches can be quite rewarding at times and I can still taste the Veuve Clichot from 1997.

In addition, they have the quickies to match any bowling attack in world cricket, especially with the return of Shoab Akhtar. Now whether he chucks it or not (he has been cleared for the moment) it still comes down at you blooming fast. All this questioning of his action will make him even more determined to stick it up there in the 90mph area and let other people, namely the batsmen, worry about how straight his arm is as they fend it off their chins.

Then there are the two old warriors, Wasim Akram and Waqar, the latter now installed as captain. The skipper may yet wreak the havoc he caused a few years back, especially on a nice moist and green Lord's pitch.

In the same way, the early summer seaming pitches will surely mean an important role to play for Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and Craig White. I know Ryan Sidebottom has made it into the 13 for the First Test but, keeping it in Yorkshire, look out for Matthew Hoggard later in the summer. He has been waiting in the wings for some time and, when fully fit, I reckon he could make an impact.

You can also add Yorkshire's Chris Silverwood to that lot.

Although it pains me to admit that it will be the quickies and not the spinners who are the main men, these five or six will hold the key to England's success. Anyway, I will be happy to wait until later in the season, when the wickets have dried out, allowing for the possibility of an Ashes recall for the Cat.

There has been a great deal of talk about the lack of preparation time in match situations, both for the England and Pakistan players. The England players' lack of practice has been largely by choice (whether their own or not is another matter) but I can't help feeling there may be some rustiness come 11.00am on Thursday.

Most of the batsmen seem to have managed a few innings over the last three weeks, with Marcus Trescothick looking in particularly good form, but the bowlers may struggle. Gough, White and Caddick played their first and only four-day matches last week and, as I know through experience, whether you are fast or slow, rhythm is vital to any bowler's success.

I can remember a past captain, who will remain nameless, throwing me the ball when all else had failed and saying, 'Go on, you have a go.' Now I know there is a bit of a difference in an England bowler only having a few overs to warm up and me having five seconds but after going for 20 runs off that over I promised myself from that day on that I would prepare thoroughly before bowling, whoever the opposition were.

Not that I am wishing Darren, Andy or the others any similar fate at Lord's. Anyway, I am sure they will prove me wrong and insist the rest did them good when they skittle Pakistan.

As I mentioned earlier, following the Pakistan series is the little matter of a chance to win back the Ashes. Admittedly, this is something that has not been achieved for what seems like an eternity but, remember this, the series always starts 0-0. After Australia's very tough tour of India and England's triumphant winter in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the time might be right to exact 15 years' worth of revenge.

If England take a positive attitude it should provide us with an enthralling summer of face-to-face, toe-to-toe Test cricket. Take a few days off work, get the beers in and support England. You are not going to want to miss this summer's action.

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