England develop do-or-die spirit

MARTIN JOHNSON

Cricket Correspondent

At this stage of the cricketing equivalent of a long distance steeplechase, the opposition is usually being quietly unsaddled in the winners' enclosure, while England are normally to be found upside down in the water jump, awaiting the arrival of the screens and a vet.

Not since 1985 have England managed to win a major Test series, home or away, and not since 1969, man on the moon year, have they beaten the West Indies. This summer, however, their customary response to an early trip to the canvas - jump up at the count of 11 - has been replaced by an uplifting determination to slug it out.

The result has been one of the most riveting series of modern times, with the sides locked together at 2-2, and if it were not for one of the less agreeable aspects of modern times - avarice - the stage would now be set for the grand denouement.

However, as there is still a maximum of 10 days cricket to be played, rather than five, the prospect of a 3-3 draw remains an unsatisfactory possibility. Not so long ago, England would conclude such a summer with a visit from Sri Lanka (and this year had the chance to offer Zimbabwe a one-off Test) but the marketing men were unable to resist the extra swag on offer from one more match against higher-profile opposition.

While six matches against the West Indies rather than five will probably create a new series record in terms of visits to the X-ray department, just for once the West Indies also have injury problems. Carl Hooper is still not fully fit after breaking a finger, and Jimmy Adams is - like Robin Smith - sidelined with a fractured cheekbone.

The replacement for Adams here is Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who, for Michael Atherton, will bring back uncomfortable memories of the third Test match in Trinidad on England's last Caribbean tour.

Among the many reasons that made the West Indies nigh on unbeatable for two decades was an honours degree in escapology, and while the Trinidad game will be forever embedded in the memory for Curtly Ambrose's devastating second-innings bowling, and England's descent to 46 all out, England would probably still have won the game but for a remarkably mature half-century from the 19-year-old Chanderpaul in only his second Test.

The Guyanan came in with his side only 60 runs ahead with five second- innings wickets standing, and England's collapse was undoubtedly triggered by the psychology involved in having a potential doddle of a victory target turned into an uncomfortable 194.

Graeme Hick will also remember dropping two routine slip catches, when Chanderpaul was on 4 and 29, with as much pain as he felt when Atherton informed him at Old Trafford that he was surplus to requirements. Hick's public persona is that of a detached, clinical individual, but he apparently became quite emotional when he was dropped from the last Test match.

This subsequently spilled over into an eve of Test meeting with Raymond Illingworth complaining about being made a scapegoat, and a rare press interview in which he largely blamed the press for writing rubbish about him. This is a bit rich coming from someone who averages 23.7 in 22 outings against the West Indies, and if Hick thinks he has been badly treated in his Test career, he ought to consider putting a T in front of his surname.

Players have been hoofed out and yo-yoed up and down the order to accommodate him, and if he truly believes he should be an automatic choice to face the West Indies with his record, when it is 2-2 and all to play for, good luck to him.

He has consistently been found out against fast, short-pitched bowling, and to pretend otherwise is a masterpiece of self-delusion. Illingworth said the other day that he wanted people who would "die for England", and it was probably because the chairman feared that Hick's technique gave him a better chance of achieving this than most that he dropped him.

However, if Hick's uncharacteristic public outburst (something which should more appropriately have taken place in private, in the opinion of his captain yesterday) is indicative of a passionate intensity behind the shy exterior, then it might at least help the public warm to him a little more.

Hick's survival in the final XI this morning depends, first, on whether England decide to play six batsmen, and secondly, should they opt for Craig White at No 6, whether Alan Wells is considered a straight replacement for the injured Smith.

Hick also has a back niggle, although it is mostly concern about Atherton's long standing back injury which has prompted England to call up the Yorkshire opener, David Byas, as emergency cover. Atherton said yesterday that he felt "OK", and his presence is vital in an England side already short on experience.

The pitch, not surprisingly, is dry and cracked, and will tempt England into playing both Mike Watkinson and Richard Illingworth. The West Indies may not have Hooper available to bowl his off spin even if his right index finger allows him to bat, which might in turn lead them to consider their leg spinner, Rajindra Dhanraj. However, history suggests that Dhanraj will be twiddling his thumbs rather than his spinning finger over the next five days.

Atherton confessed yesterday that he had never seen the trophy that these two sides play for - "what is it, the Wisden Trophy?" - which is understandable given that his current chairman of selectors was the last English captain to get his hands on it, 26 years ago. England have never beaten the West Indies in seven Tests on this ground, but as we saw at both Lord's and Old Trafford, they are currently in the business of ending unhappy sequences.