Rain dampens English spirits

By Ted Corbett

NOTTINGHAM, JUNE 2. As we turned towards Nottingham this morning on our way to the second Test against Zimbabwe I remarked, ``at least it isn't raining.'' I should have known better.

After an hour at the ground we were able to see that prolonged rain rather than prolonged cricket would be the order of the day; and even when at lunch the groundstaff began to clear the field in the midst of tannoy announcements that ``we are hoping to start at 1.40 if there is no further rain'' it was clear that play before tea, if at all, was a long shot.

The showers began again before we had reached the dessert stage and when the rain cleared and the clouds lifted in mid-afternoon the talk was all of golf this evening rather than a burst of cricket in the late sunshine. More rain at 2.45 may have ended all hope of play and spectators began to leave. By now a third of Trent Bridge was under plastic, wheeled covers and tarpaulin; a wretched sight but particularly so for England supporters, gladdened by Mike Atherton's batting yesterday, the chances of a second successive victory and the news from Worcester where Brian Lara had been brought to his knees for one by an apprentice.

It is crucial to England's future that they perform well against the West Indies this summer and how Lara bats is clearly of the essence. If, the argument goes, he backs Jimmy Adams, his friend and now his captain, then West Indies will make enough runs for the pacemen to test England severely.

But it is also known that the man, who according to Adams, may have many more runs to come has had just one net in the months since he decided that he needed a rest from cricket. One visitor to the Caribbean was greeted by Lara with an invitation to a game of golf immediately. ``It's more time at the nets you need not another round of golf,'' said my friend but received no answer that convinced him Lara had no intention of serious work. Today Lara was caught behind the wicket by Jonty Rhodes, who had 11 Tests five years ago, off Kabir Ali, a 19-year-old fast bowler with only half a dozen matches to his credit. Kabir also bowled Sherwin Campbell for nought but while he may be one for the future he will find he is a hero when he reads tomorrow's headlines. If Lara can be sent back to the pavilion by a lad at the start of his career, how will he fare against Andrew Caddick, Darren Gough and Ed Giddins? Tomorrow's papers will be full of such thoughts.

When rain stopped play at Worcester the West Indies was 57 for three after a disastrous start at 15 for three.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Defeat leaves Indians drained in more ways than
           one
Next     : Captaincy, a tricky and challenging task