Better for England to creep up on cup (17 May 1999)

17 May 1999

Better for England to creep up on cup

Mark Nicholas

In contrast to the rows of embarrassingly empty seats in the pavilion at Lord's on Friday was the pandemonium outside the gates at Hove on Saturday morning. Tickets priced at £18 changed hands for up to £300 as touts patrolled the street teasing desperate Indians and forlorn South Africans. Fans pleading poverty at 10am were revealing rolls of £20 notes by 10.45 as the news floated from the PA that India had chosen to bat first and Sachin Tendulkar was taking guard in the middle. It was the first real sign that a "carnival of cricket" was under way - the day before, Lord's had been, if not quite sterile, then mooted.

This is often the case in limited-overs cricket where one side cruise comfortably to victory. Emotion stays on hold and so the participation of the crowd, who provide atmosphere and a sense of occasion, is missing. Fervent Sri Lankans did their best but in their heart was the truth, that Arjuna Ranatunga's team have lost their sparkle, dimmed as they have been by the heights of their magnificent achievements and the resultant expectation of the past three years.

English supporters appeared relieved more than anything. The country is not absolutely behind its team yet, but a couple of wins and the end of the football season should pump things up a bit. Anyway the team, who did all that was needed on Friday and seemed to have plenty in reserve too, are better off creeping up on the tournament. The World Cup has never been won by a home team and to have pundits talking them up this early in the piece may prove more of a curse than a compliment.

Talking about the team for a moment - what a pity that Nick Knight was dropped, which is not a slight on Nasser Hussain, who had a good day. Knight would have benefited from selectorial support like that given to Saurav Ganguly and Alec Stewart, who were also in no sort of touch during the build-up to the main event, but shook off their self-doubt with authoritative innings. The criticism Knight has received for the shot which got him out at Southampton is ridiculous for the same reason that it was ridiculous to criticise David Gower for his apparent wafts outside off stump. The cut stroke is, and has always been, Knight's bread and butter for scoring. We can't applaud a man one week for his urgency and dare and then castigate him the next.

The point about Knight is that he is above the ordinary, a match-winner who for two years between August 1996 and 1998 may well have demanded a place in a one-day world XI. Anyone who saw his astonishing assaults on Ambrose and Walsh in the Caribbean last year or on Pakistan's much-acclaimed attack the year before would know of his ability to influence a match against the very best. This is a priceless gift and one on which the selectors should change their minds pronto.

THE greatest of all World Cup cricketers is back in England and, delectable thought that it is, about to play again. Next Sunday, Vivian Richards will lead the Bunburys - David English's showbiz creation - against a Northants XI captained by Allan Lamb. The game is at Finedon Dolben CC in the east of the county and is in honour and support of Winston Davis, the former West Indies fast bowler whose figures of seven for 51 against Australia in 1983 are still the best in a World Cup.

In November 1997 Davis was up a tree on his native island of St Vincent while helping to clear some land for a new church. In a freak accident, he was instantly paralysed from the neck down after falling eight feet. He was 39 years old.

St Vincent had no facilities to cope with the injury and after a battle with the authorities he was allowed into Britain and spent months in an orthopaedic hospital in Shropshire. Because he played county cricket for Glamorgan and Northamptonshire, mates visited him but that was about it. Cricket had no other way of helping one of their own who was now a tetraplegic. Don't think Davis is sorry for himself, he isn't. His Christian faith drives him on and even now, as he used to, he prefers to give rather than receive. And give he does through his inspiration and response to adversity.

In August last year The Guardian printed an article about Davis's plight and gave an address for donations. A staggering £35,000 arrived. Now there is this match and it is littered with stars so if you can get there, do. If you can't but would like to help this fine cricketer and special man contact Melanie Henson and her team on 01933 682440.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)