The Hindu : Sport : Points to ponder

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005

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Sport

Points to ponder

STEVE WAUGH

Rarely does a sporting event so capture a nation's attention, as has Thursday's Test at the Oval. This has been billed as the most momentous sporting occasion in England since the 1966 World soccer Cup, accompanied as it is by suggestions that a dynasty is about to crumble.

With such high expectations of England and equally intense pressure on Australia, the team that can compartmentalise and focus on the job on hand will prosper while the one that gets distracted with the `what ifs' will hesitate and lose the opportunity.

Here's what I think Australia must do to win:

1. Forget the things you can't control.

This includes the toss, the nature of the pitch, the parochial crowd, substitute fielders and umpiring decisions. Instead, worry about what you are in charge of. Issues such as each player knowing and implementing his gameplan, individuals reverting to tried and trusted routines before and during the match, preparing professionally and training with match intensity, enjoying each other's success and company during the match and playing one's natural game with instinct and flair ought to top the agenda.

2. Trust yourself under pressure.

This should be done safe in the knowledge that, as insurance, the players have done the hard yards in preparation and have been in nearly every scenario before and survived. They have collectively beaten every side in the world both home and away and have handled distractions both on and off the field.

They are mentally the toughest side in the world and must remember that fact. To allow self doubt to take charge would be to forget what they have previously achieved and allow the opposition to take the upper hand.

3. Bowlers must work in tandem and batsmen must get ugly.

The opening pair of bowlers must create pressure at both ends simultaneously, to be followed up with more of the same from the next pair. Instead, what we have seen is inconsistent line and length and far too many no balls, allowing English batsmen excess opportunities and immunity from pressure.

As for the batsmen, they must be prepared to look ugly if need be and work through the tough times and make England really earn their wickets, capitalising when the English begin to tire, especially targeting Ashley Giles.

I'd also like to see a hint of urgency about our body language and a real purpose to our play which will manifest itself in our running between the wickets, which has lacked its usual intensity and slowed the tempo at which Australia normally plays.

4. Attitude on the field.

The attitude and sharpness a team exudes on the field is always a direct pointer to the mood and prospects of a side. It is the one aspect of the game that isn't statistically rewarded according to its importance and as such shows how committed the players are to the ultimate goal. We need to hunt in packs, create opportunities and take a half chance or execute a run out to ignite our potential and get that spark going.

5. The captain.

Ricky Ponting must follow his gut instinct and go with the flow during the game and trust his judgment during the selection of the playing XI. Having to win gives him the freedom to attack and be aggressive but he must also remember that a Test lasts five days and the team's mantra of executing the three Ps will ultimately win the day.

Patience, pressure and partnerships have stood the test of time and if Australia call on them once more, the Ashes and the mantle of the world's best will remain with this fiercely proud and skilled unit. And one last thing, enjoy the occasion and soak it up.

Gameplan

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