English pupils set to turn masters

Williams’ effort should have warmed the cockles of the Calypso hearts. They would be hoping that some more take a leaf out of his book and end their dependence on Lara.

But the irony of the moment is that England, who do not have a single player the public would pay to watch, are the only side that has looked a champion outfit. This oxy-moron is a tribute to their single-minded approach to the task.

At the start of the tournament, Pakistan, with their plethora of stars, were seen as the overwhelming favourites. India with a number of excellent players were expected to be the second best, if not the best team. However, both teams were soundly thrashed by both England and West Indies and under cover of darkness have returned home to lick their wounds.

England, building a team for the 1999 World Cup have been phenomenal. Their skipper, Adam Hollioake, who insists that this tour in a learning experience for the team, has shown how thoroughly prepared they have come here.

England’s batting runs deep without any Prima Donna manning key positions. This is directly opposed to the composition of India, Pakistan and even the West Indies. Every batsman has tried to chip in with a few runs and whatever risks they take, in the form of an adventurous shot every now and then, or a sharp single, is calculated to keep the opposition off balance.

England, one of the first to realise that they need a different team for one-day matches, has filled the side with bits and pieces players. Even Alec Stewart, their most experienced player, is in the side only because he is a batsman who can keep wickets.

Thus, Hollioake has so many options both in batting and bowling that his skill as a skipper comes in his shrewd utilisation of his resources.Mathew Fleming, the 34 year-old medium pacer-batsman on his first major tour has been the pick of the newcomers.

The ex-Army officer has a reputation of bowling in the death in the county circuit. The manner in which he has shaped in this tournament shows that he has far more presence of mind than many of the more experienced players from India and Pakistan.

England, whose formula of tight bowling, smart fielding and efficient batting was so successful in the league phase would be hoping that they hit the jackpot in the final.

But the West Indies are eminently capable of spoiling their party. Of course, a lot hinges on the brilliance of the wayward genius Lara.

But skipper Courtney Walsh, who showed that he can be innovative during the key match against India, could have a trick or two of his own.

Walsh’s decision to bowl three spinners succeeded magnificently against India. Should his batsmen give him sufficient runs to back him, then Walsh, who surely has a wide choice of bowlers in the form of himself, Franklyn Rose, Mervyn Dillon, Phil Simmons, Carl Hooper, Shivnaraine Chanderpaul and that secret weapon Rawl Lewis, could pull off a desperately needed win for the West Indies.

The pitch has played quite well thus far. It has helped the spinners in the latter half of the tournament. But that is only to be expected in these dry conditions.

Thus, both West Indies and England have a lot at stake in Friday’s match. This is the first time in the history of cricket in Sharjah that neither Pakistan nor India is the finalist.

THE TEAMS:

ENGLAND (from): Adam Hollioake (capt), Alec Stewart, Alistair Brown, Dougie Brown, Mark Ealham, Grame Hick, Robert Croft, Matthew Fleming, Nick Knight, Graham Thorpe, Dean Headley, Peter Martin, Ashley Giles and Ben Hollioake.

WEST INDIES (from): Courtney Walsh (capt), Stuart Williams, Brian Lara, Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, David Williams, Phil Simmons, Philo Wallace, Franklyn Rose, Rawl Lewis, Mervyn Dillon, Ian Bishop, Sherwin Campbell and Vanburn Holder.