Let's put their bowlers in a spin

13 April 2012

Everything seemed to have been calming down after the bizarre events of Galle, with the England camp being very diplomatic and making the right sounds about getting on with the next game. But boy it's hotting up again, just in time for the Second Test.

Against the Board Academy XI on Saturday, Darren Gough had a row with the opposition and the umpire. Nasser Hussain appeared to send him to the pavilion, but then Nasser told the press not to have a go at Goughie.

It has been said Nasser could have handled the situation differently and that his honeymoon period with the press is over. However, all players want to have the backing of their captain, especially when you feel the world is against you. So from that point, I feel Nasser has been spot on. Plus he even managed to score some runs!

With the stories coming through of Robert Croft kicking down doors after his second innings dismissal in the First Test, the England dressing room would have been an interesting place to be. I have witnessed many a thrown bat and flying glove, but usually only two at the most in a match. It must have been almost continuous in the First Test.

One thing is for sure, there's no way I could have had my usual few hours sleep in the corner during either of our innings!

Some of the grief would have been avoided if the umpires in the middle could consult the third umpire on lbw decisions. If they could, then I reckon after Alec Stewart's dismissal, the third umpire would have radioed his mate in the middle to say: "You've had a shocker, call Mr Stewart back and let him resume his innings."

Anyway, now it's on to Kandy, the home of Muttiah Muralitharan. So let's hope they can concentrate all their thoughts into stopping him. If the wicket is anything like the one in Galle, I think we should go with a three spinner attack. Although I was very impressed with Goughie's off-spinners, it really is something when a pitch makes England's premier fast bowler resort to that. Even the Sri Lankans may have got it wrong as Dilhara Fernando, their opening bowler, only bowled a handful of overs. Spin will once again be the key.

With regard to the batting, if England are to draw level in the series, they must look to put bat on ball more.

After losing the toss, defence was the way to go in the First Test. If we can just be more attacking and therefore put Sri Lanka under pressure, this will change the bowler's field placings and can put them off their stride. As we all know, the toss is vital, but if it does not go our way, then the same determination that has been shown in the field at Galle must be evident again. Along with effort, though, we must look to be inventive and 'wiggle and fiddle' a few more wickets.

I love watching the spinners bowl all day and it makes for gripping viewing, but I really hope this series is not completely based on win the toss, win the game. After all, my auntie could have got some prize scalps bowling on the last day of the First Test. It really started to rip.

But, hang on, this is me advocating flatter wickets. I must need a lie down.

Even after the Goughie incident, I am sure England won't let the siege mentality creep into their game. The boys will realise it can all be turned around in one innings and that must be the attitude adopted going into the Second Test.

Watching England is always very exciting, so let's hope we have the rub of the green this time and make sure we take advantage of it. What goes around comes around - even in Sri Lanka.

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Alec Stewart

Cricket

Darren Gough

Nasser Hussain

Let's put their bowlers in a spin

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