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Cricket
English eves on `voyage of discovery'
The coach of the England women's cricket team John Harmer and skipper Clare Connor have something to smile about during the side's practice session at the University Union ground in Chennai on Wednesday.
CHENNAI, JAN. 2. The tour of India will be a `voyage of discovery' for the young English women's cricket team, and the lessons learnt in the different and often demanding conditions are bound to be valuable for this bunch of enthusiastic cricketers.
``There is a lot of passion for the game in this country and we are looking forward to playing our cricket here,'' said England captain Clare Connor.
The English team arrived in Chennai in the early hours of Wednesday, and then had a practice session at the University Union ground in the afternoon, when The Hindu caught up with the side.
England, that will play five one-day Internationals and a Test on this tour, beginning with the first ODI in Chennai on January 6, is a team going through transition with established names like Barbara Daniels and Mellisa Raymond bidding adieu.
Key batswoman Charlotte Edwards has been forced to take a lay-off as well, owing to a knee operation. This suggests there is a lack of experience in the batting line-up.
In the absence of established names, Clare Taylor at No. 3 will have a key role to perform and England can ill-afford the kind of capitulations that undermined the side's chances during the World Cup in New Zealand.
A fact, skipper Connor, a middle-order batswoman apart from being a left-arm spinner, readily accepts. ``We are a good bowling and fielding side, but there is scope for improvement in batting. Hopefully, we will get it right on this tour.''
She does not hold back her views on India either. ``The strength of the Indian team is its aggression in batting. There are some good stroke-makers. And obviously there are some good spinners like left-armer Neetu David. But fielding is the side's weakness.''
It is the sixth year in international cricket for Clare, and her second as captain. ``I am myself just 25, and many of the others are even younger. So we help each other out, staying together, trying to pick up new things. Hopefully, we will turn things around in batting.''
Here Clare stresses on the role played by John Harmer, whom she calls, ``an inspirational figure.'' Harmer, who was in charge of the immensely successful Australian side for eight years, took over as the England coach at the end of last summer.
Harmer, a Victorian, reveals, ``They are so keen, willing to add new things to their repertoire all the time. There is a lot of talent in the side. We have to put it all together. The first game will be crucial. If we do well, we could carry on from there.''
Being an expert in Biomechanics, he teaches the subject at the Deakan University in Melbourne, Harmer is now working specifically on batting. ``It's a simple game. And hitting the ball cleanly is the key.''
Also on hand watching the players go through the routine was Jill McConway, Director of Women's Cricket, England Cricket Board (ECB). The merger with the ECB, in '96, had helped the side immensely, she said, and added that at the grassroots level, the women received the same opportunities as men.
``We are rebuilding the team, with an eye on the 2004 World Cup in South Africa. England played Australia in three ODIs and a Test at home this summer and though the young side could not win, it could take a lot of heart from its performance,'' she noted.
And captain Clare had the final word. As a left-arm spinner, she said she would bowl round the wicket. ``That's my style,'' she concluded with a smile.
Hero Honda to sponsor one-dayers
Our New Delhi reporter adds:
The five-match One-Day international series between India and England will be sponsored by Hero Honda. After associating itself with the women's cricket in 1997 when it sponsored the World Cup, Hero Honda has again decided to take up the cause.
``This sponsorship is a step towards further strengthening of our association with women's cricket,'' said Mr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, the Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Honda.
The team winning the series will be awarded the Hero Honda Cup. Each `Woman of the Match' will be given a trophy and prize money, and also to the `Woman of the Series'. All the matches will be telecast live by DD-Sports.
The itinerary: Jan. 6: First ODI, Chennai; Jan. 8: Second ODI, Hyderabad; Jan. 9: Third ODI, Hyderabad; Jan. 21: Fourth ODI, Mumbai; Jan. 24: Fifth ODI, Pune.
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