England guard against complacency

Steve Harmison: this could be his launch-pad © Getty Images

Despite the euphoria of that historic victory at Sabina Park, England's coach, Duncan Fletcher, has urged his players to avoid complacency as they prepare for Friday's second Test in Trinidad. "It's very important that we look after our own game and prepare for the next Test," he stressed. "If we start focussing on other things we'll probably forget about what we've got to do, so we'll just let that be - it's out of our hands."

On the face of it, England have established a devastating psychological hold on the series, after bowling West Indies out on the fourth morning in Jamaica for 47 - their lowest-ever total. But recent history in the Caribbean would suggest that no side is more dangerous than West Indies when written off. Five years ago, Brian Lara inspired them to a 2-1 series lead against Australia, after they were bowled out for 51 in the first Test. And five years before that, in 1993-94, England were themselves bowled out for 46 by Curtly Ambrose in Trinidad, only to come storming back the following week, to record the first Test win by a touring side in Barbados for 59 years.

"We must have an advantage," admitted Fletcher, "because confidence levels will be high among the bowlers, while the batters have showed a lot of character. For someone like Mark Butcher, who took a bit of a battering and is pretty bruised, for him to go and win like that is a huge advantage - if we'd lost and he'd taken that battering it would have been pretty hard to come back strongly."

England's bowling hero on that fourth morning was Steve Harmison, who returned in spades the faith that his coach has invested in him, with second-innings figures of 7 for 12. "We've shown a lot of faith in a lot of guys," said Fletcher, "and Harmison is certainly one of them. It was about three years ago when we realised that this was the guy that England needed and needed badly - most sides need a guy with pace and bounce and he's got another dimension in that he can also swing the ball."

Troy Cooley, England's bowling coach, was equally full of praise for Harmison. "He's got himself organised, his attitude is absolutely right and because of that he's been able to bowl the way he wants to bowl. This could be the launch-pad to go on to big things."

But if England need any indication of just how dangerous West Indies are likely to be, they might as well ask Graham Thorpe, England's sole survivor of that 46-all-out debacle in 1993-94. On that occasion, England had believed they were in line for a surprise victory, after taking a healthy first-innings lead at Port-of-Spain. But Ambrose steamed in with an irresistible display, taking 6 for 24 as England folded in 19.1 overs.

"They will be hurt because we were hurt," said Thorpe. "It's quite humiliating to be bowled our for such a low score, although at least we were away from home when it happened. It was the most humiliated I've ever been on a cricket field, but I remember Mike Atherton saying at the time that it was a top spell of bowling, and it was. We knew we were up against a great bowler and we didn't really have the answers on that day, but it makes you analyse your game that little bit more.

"We came back and won in Barbados so we're well aware that West Indies are not a pushover," warned Thorpe. "We have to expect them to bounce back. No professional sportsman likes to be beaten in that way and bowled out for that sort of score. They're a hugely talented side who could come back and win the next game, but it's for us to analyse our own games and see how we can improve."

Nevertheless, England's heroics made for a pleasant journey to Port-of-Spain, in stark contrast to the recriminations searing through the West Indian camp. "It's a huge bonus for us," admitted Thorpe, "because we expected two really tough days. But we've plucked a performance out of the air. It happens every now and then, but it's got us in the driving seat and that's a fantastic start for the tour."