The Hindu : Sport : Strauss has set a great example

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 14, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

Strauss has set a great example

Kunal Diwan

Collingwood acknowledges his teammate’s determination

Gary Kirsten feels there’s still a long way to go
India’s coach also praises the England opener

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

COMRADES IN ARMS: Strauss and Collingwood complemented each other well to run up a big, unbeaten partnership for the fourth wicket.

CHENNAI: Andrew Strauss’ eye-catching propensity for converting inconsequential fifties into bigger, influential scores has been well acknowledged.

Floundering at 43 for three on a third-day turner, it was this timeless knack for patient and purposeful grafting that was the need of the hour for England on Saturday.

And once again, Strauss reprised his intense affinity for the wicket, this time conniving with an equally resolute Paul Collinwood, to forge a priceless 129-run stand and swelling England’s lead to a cushy 247.

“We looked to get set and managed to do that. In fact, we want to carry on in the same vein and for a partnership that would, hopefully, turn out to be crucial in the end,” said Collingwood later at the post-match press conference.

Unbeaten on 60 at close, Collingwood, who hit a century in the drawn Nagpur Test in 2006, said he did not have to look far for inspiration.

“Strauss has set a great example for us since he has played exceptionally off the backfoot. Against the spinners, it takes just one mistake early on to end it all,” he added.

The pitch factor

For long, India’s accomplice and a matter of great puzzlement to visiting teams, the fifth-day turner was something that, Collingwood said, the English team was looking forward to.

“The pitch has started to play a few tricks. It’s crumbling, and the ball is not really coming on to the bat. This could prove vital when we bowl. We’re hoping to get some reverse swing as well.”

Asked if the one day international series debacle and the Mumbai terror attacks had blunted their competitive edge, Collingwood replied that they had come to India together as a team and wanted to do well as a unit.

“What we’re doing at the moment appears to be working for us. So we’re not going to change anything.”

England may well be on top, but India coach Gary Kirsten maintained that there was “still a long way to go in the match”.

Blaming it on opening blues

He highlighted the failure of the openers as a key to India’s first innings implosion, and said that he had not, as yet, considered a shift in Rahul Dravid’s batting position as a remedy to his bad run of scores.

“The openers play a crucial role because good starts guarantee good scores. A 30 for two scenario is bound to put pressure on the middle order,”

The English team, Strauss in particular, came in for praise for the way it had approached things.

“We expected England to bounce back after the one-dayers because they are a good Test side. Strauss has played his part to perfection. We had plans for him but he understood what was required and performed well.”

Not reading too much

Like always, the former South Africa opener declined to read too much in the condition of the pitch or even discuss the kind of fourth-innings target that Indian could hope to chase with success.

“It’s obvious that the ball will do something if you land it in certain areas. But we have also seen that runs are not that hard to come by if one bats purposefully.”

Asked if he thought that the match was already out of India’s grasp, he cheekily replied: “If that is the perception, then we would certainly like to change that.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport