Date-stamped : 17 Jun95 - 14:23 England v West Indies, 4th Test played at Headingley, Leeds. 21, 22, 23, 25, 26 July 1988 ====> Preview CURTIS AND SMITH ARE LATEST LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER - Alan Lee Beleagured teams are forever facing crisis days. The longer they wait for a victory, the more dramatically is each game portrayed. For England`s cricketers, however, the time of reckoning really has arrived. On the outcome of the next few days here in Leeds will rest not just the result of a Test series but the reputa- tions of some of those in charge and the patience of a watching nation. To retain a chance of saving the series against the West Indies, England must win on their least favourite ground, a venue where they have been beaten four out of the last five years. The mood of the country, indeed, is dispiritingly pessimistic if ticket sales are anything to go by. Ten thousand, more than half the capacity, are still available. If this news deflated the new captain, Chris Cowdrey, his recep- tion at Headingley can also have done little for his confidence. He was turned away by a gateman who later explained, "I didn`t know he was the England captain and he didn`t tell me." No-one in the England camp wished to venture an opinion on the state of the pitch but groundsman Keith Boyce said, "Its a belter - the best I have prepared for 10 years." England are not exactly kitted out for several days of bowling. Foster and Dilley, neither of whom is immune to injury, are sup- ported only by Pringle and Cowdrey. Only four players survive from Old Trafford. There are two new-capped batsmen, the adhesive opener, Curtis, and the savagely strong Smith. There are recalls for Athey, Prin- gle and Richards. There is also a welcome return from injury for Foster. Six of the final 11 at Old Trafford are missing, along with Broad, Thomas and Cook who were all in the selected party. Childs, called up to replace the injured Cook in the last Test, retains his place in the squad but is almost certain to be twelfth man. Athey presumably earned a recall by making a wonderful unbeaten 168 at Bristol on Friday. He has never translated that ability to Test level. Broad`s lack of form meant that there were few rivals to Curtis and he fully deserves his chance. Smith is more of a gamble but a shrewd one none the less. In three full seasons of county crick- et he has averaged 42, 41 and 50. The extra challenge may be all he needs but one hopes the selectors show some public confidence by revealing that he is to be given the rest of the summer to prove himself. The longest debate concerned the third bowler. Jarvis was not considered fit enough and Small was not in good enough form. DeFreitas, Agnew and Radford were all in the frame but Pringle`s style was thought more likely to suit the pitch. News from the West Indian camp was not designed to cheer England either. R.B. Richardson will miss the match but Greenidge and Haynes both appear to be fit. ENGLAND: (Age,Caps) C.S.Cowdrey (capt.)(Kent,30,5), C.W.J.Athey (Gloucs,30,22) J.H.Childs (Essex,36,1), T.S.Curtis (Worcs,28,0), G.R.Dilley (Worcs,29,38), N.A.Foster (Essex,26,22), G.A.Gooch (Essex,34,65), D.I.Gower (Leics,31,99), A.J.Lamb (Northants,34,54), D.R.Pringle (Essex,29,16), C.J.Richards (Surrey, 29,6), R.A.Smith (Hampshire,24,0). WEST INDIES: I.V.A.Richards (capt.), C.G.Greenidge, D.L.Haynes, C.L.Hooper, A.L.Logie, P.J.L.Dujon, R.A.Harper, M.D.Marshall, W.K.M.Benjamin, C.E.L. Ambrose, C.A.Walsh, B.P.Patterson, K.L.T.Arthurton. 1st Test: Drawn. 2nd Test: West Indies won. 3rd Test: West Indies won. Weather: Cloudy with rain at times. Max temp.: 18-21 C. Source :: The Times, 21st July 1988 Contributed by J.R.F.Evans (en92jrfe@exeter.ac.uk)