The Hindu : Sport : Zaheer, Vaughan excel with their skills

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Zaheer, Vaughan excel with their skills

Vaughan’s classic effort was overshadowed by India’s win and Sreesanth’s beamer, writes
W.V. Raman

— PHOTO: AP

STANDING TALL: Michael Vaughan’s second innings knock underlined his stature as an astute student of the game.

Michael Vaughan was tested in every manner possible at Nottingham right from the time the toss went in Rahul Dravid’s favour. The English skipper was forced to defend a low score in the first innings as Zaheer Khan made good use of the conditions on the opening day.

Much has been made out of some jelly beans thrown on the field but to put things in proper perspective, Zaheer was at his best and the English batsmen were found wanting against his pace and clever use of the angles.

The left-arm seamer was quite rightly miffed at the implied suggestion that he used jelly beans to make the ball swing and seam but no one prevented the English bowlers from following suit if at all there was any element of truth in it.

Same old case

It is the same old case of the Englishmen whining when they are at the receiving end. The fact is that Zaheer worked up good pace and consistently at that to trouble the batsmen. At times when the ball did not swing enough he resorted to changing angles by bowling from round the wicket.

One cannot help but accept that his performance was a product of skill, perseverance and superb application of mind to rule the roost.

Despite the ungainly behaviour of some players from both sides, the captains, Vaughan and Dravid maintained a sense of dignity and ensured that the incidents did not assume gigantic proportions. Vaughan in fact kept his wits while batting in the second innings to carve out a century and unfortunately, a classic effort was overshadowed by India’s victory and S. Sreesanth’s beamer. The English captain’s bat seemed as broad as the M25 motorway as he drove the Indian pacers down the ground and through the off side with elan.

While his shots were regal in execution, his clever ploy of using Anil Kumble’s pace to steer fine behind square and play him like an off-spinner reaffirmed why he is rated as a very astute student of the game.

Sreesanth’s woes

While Zaheer and Vaughan excelled with their skills, the unpredictable Sreesanth pressed the self-destruct button to get into trouble.

There is every reason to believe that the beamer was an unintentional aberration, but to run in and bowl the biggest no-ball seen in recent times is going too far.

The youngster needs to realise that efficiency with the ball is the top most priority and theatrics are incidental. As of now, his tomfoolery is overlapping the main objective.

The team management has to read the riot act to him and if need be, he has to be told either he behaves himself on the field or sits out.

There is no harm in engaging in a mild banter but it is also important to maintain decorum on the field. On the other hand, Sreesanth should remember that in his quest to upset a batsman he cannot afford to lose his focus.

Moreover, mere exchange of words and a display of demonstrative aggression alone will not fetch wickets at the highest level.

Blessing in disguise

There is a break before the next Test, which is actually a blessing in disguise as a sense of well being resulting out of a win will evaporate by the time the last Test starts at the Oval. The Test will be hard fought (hopefully sans the dramatics) on what is generally a firm and bouncy pitch.

The Indians will probably stick to the same team and it will be imperative that the Indians don’t go into the preservation mode. By that I mean that they should look to win the Test and not condition themselves to play for a draw as they are 1-0 ahead.

In other words the Indians should not allow themselves to be subdued by fear of success as they take the field at the Oval.

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