A view from the Gully (18 May 1999)

18 May 1999

A view from the Gully

Tawfiq Aziz Khan

It was big chaos at Bristol on Sunday. West Indies had long monopolised inconsistency and unpredictability until Pakistan appeared on the scene. The Caribbeans have now has a cousin who can beat them in their own trade. Pakistanis, frustrated by the lack of warm-up matches because of rains, had cold feet and butter fingers. Acclimatisation in English weather is a prerequisite for any overseas cricketer before he takes his stance or starts his run-up. This process of getting used to the atmosphere can not be over-emphasised and it is not only true for the Pakistanis only but all the participating team that includes England too. The only difference is that the locals take less time than the foreigners. Unless one has personal experience it is quite difficult to make him understand or appreciate this vital aspect of cricket in England.

An overcast sky, a temperature in the vicinity of 15 degrees Celsius, a hard wicket and soft, lushgreen outfield is typical of English atmosphere during the month of May. The southwest town of Bristol hosted this important opener for two of the most charismatic teams of the tournament before a capacity crowd that was mostly comprised of expatriate Pakistanis. A toss is always important in a cricket match and having achieved success in calling correctly he sent a bunch of short on practice somnambulists to face Ambrose and Walsh, the two most experienced, accurate, intelligent and expert bowlers in English conditions. The result was atrocious. Before the sleepwalkers could open their eyelids almost half the side was back at home, mercifully unhurt.

And the progress better be forgotten. The inclusion and promotion of one Abdur Razzaq remained a mystery until the 19-year-old scalped BC Lara, RD Jacobs and finally CEL Ambrose later in the day. If he was good at bowling why should he have preceded Ijaz, Inzamam and Youhana as a fodder for Dillon. This was certainly no occasion for experimentation. The lower middle-order by now was warm enough to freely move their limbs and the picnic of Walsh and Dillon suddenly hit snag and time to rejoice for the Pakistanis arrived. In the absence of the genuine fifth bowler Lara found himself on a spot. Keith Arthurton left for the hospital with injury and Pakistanis were in business against the part-timers, the charge being led by the skipper himself. With an overdose of extras, Pakistan reached a fighting total. West Indians must be ruing the sudden retirement of the experienced all-rounder Carl Hooper who would have been the most natural choice for the game on Monday. Lara must be a worried man. He will have to rethink his strategies for the rest of the matches. The extra bowlers conceded 83 runs in 10 overs.

With a tail as long as the 'cheeta' and a suspect top order, the task of scoring the required runs was difficult against an attack that was as potent and varied. Shoaib Akhtar's sheer speed was awesome and in such a situation Lara's early departure made the team look like orphans. It was very irresponsible of the captain to have tried to play shots early in the innings without being under particular pressure. All the good work done by the bowlers and Chanderpaul went in vain. Both teams were in chaotic situation created by themselves - Pakistan in batting West Indies in bowling.

The icing on the cake came from the umpires who goofed up when it came to TV replays. Once no replay was called for and on another occasion the footage was missing. And Dillon was bowled by Saqlain the umpires did not call for a replay. Between them they created a total chaos.

Source :: The Daily Star