Whatever became of Plan A

Wisden Cricinfo staff02-Aug-2004

Ashley Giles – his confidence is high© Getty Images
Whatever became of Plan A? At the beginning of the series, Brian Lara confidently asserted that England’s attack was over-reliant on Steve Harmison, and that the back-up bowlers were there for the taking. Two Tests and one retained Wisden Trophy later, England have made Lara eat his words, and the much-maligned Ashley Giles has been right at the forefront of the effort, with 18 wickets in the back-to-back fortnight of matches.Harmison, in the meantime, has been a virtual spectator, with just three wickets in the two games, at an average of 81. Giles, however, is in no doubt that Harmison is merely biding his time, and believes that “someone is going to pay the price” for his lean spell.Giles warned that Lara would come to regret his pre-series optimism, before adding that there were no concerns in the England camp about the sudden down-turn in form of Harmison, who had swept all before him in the Caribbean and against New Zealand earlier in the summer. He was Man of the Series on both occasions, and with 45 wickets in the seven Tests, he was the world’s leading wicket-taker for 2004.”I don’t think we are worried about any burn-out factor with Steve," said Giles. "I just don’t think the wickets have been particularly suited to him. They have not been quick and bouncy. He has probably been easier to play because of his extra pace. It comes onto the bat on slower wickets a bit easier.”With Steve’s record recently, I am sure he will be keen to get a few more wickets under his belt," added Giles, "and I think someone is going to pay the price. If we get a quick wicket at Old Trafford, it might be this lot."

Matthew Hoggard – England’s leading seamer in the back-to-back Tests © Getty Images
It has been a heady week for Giles, who began the season contemplating his retirement after managing two wickets in the entire Caribbean tour, but has now been catapulted into the top ten of the PwC ratings for the first time in his career. “It is nice to be making a contribution," he admitted. "I didn’t have much success in the West Indies, but two wickets have come up at Lord’s and Edgbaston that I’ve been able to bowl a lot on and I’ve got a few scalps.”Suddenly my confidence is very high, I’m bowling well, and getting the pitches I want. I’ve got my 100 Test wickets and I’m kicking on from there and I hope that continues." The signs for next week’s third Test at Old Trafford are promising to say the least. "Warwickshire played at Old Trafford on Saturday," he added, "and apparently it turned square so I don’t mind that at all!"England’s other key performer with the ball has been Matthew Hoggard, who took 10 wickets in the two matches, with a match haul at Edgbaston of 6 for 153 – his best in a home Test since India came to Lord’s in 2002. Hoggard, for one, will be quite content for Harmison to reclaim the limelight at Old Trafford. "Everybody has settled down into their roles," he explained. "We’ve got Harmison the quick bowler, I’m the swing bowler and Freddie [Flintoff] is the allrounder – everyone knows their role well and knows how to bowl and bat in their role.""Back-to-back Tests are very stressful on your body so it’s important to take time out," added Hoggard. "I’ll completely forget about cricket for a couple of days. I’ll be at home walking my dogs and keeping away from all and sundry – I like staying at home and doing nothing."”We don’t feel unstoppable, but there’s a lot of confidence in the side,” added Hoggard. “We focus on one game at a time, we take small steps and small strides and we’re finding it’s working for us. If we do that the rest will take care of itself. Australia are still the best in the world and they’re the benchmark. They’ve set the standards and we’re just trying to creep up slowly – by concentrating on playing good, solid cricket.”