Uphill battle for England

Press, 30 November 1982, Page 38

Uphill battle for England

NZPA Brisbane England faced an uphill fight to save the second test against Australia at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, the tourists' captain. Bob Willis, conceded yesterday. “We will need to bat through until at least lunchtime on Wednesday to be safe,” Willis said. After a rest yesterday. England will resume today at 71 for one. still 51 in arrears after Australia replied with 341 to the tourists' first innings total of 219. “The wicket is still OK — it’s certainly not a 219 all out pitch, and you can take that as implied criticism of our batsmen,” said Willis sternly. • With two full days play remaining the Australians are in a position to go one-up in the five-test series, but they could have been closer to victory if they had held their catches. As it was, Australia's charitable fielding allowed Graeme Fowler to remain 31 not out at stumps with David Gower on 5. “Graeme is a tremendous fighter and he deserves a little bit of good luck for a change,” said the team's manager, Doug Insole. One small ray of hope for England is the possibility of fifth-day wear of the Brisbane Cricket Ground pitch which Willis hopes will give his spin pair of Eddie Hern-

mings and Geoff Miller some assistance.

Australia has four lefthanders in its top seven batsmen and the England off-spinners could be expected to provide them with some anxious moments if the pitch deteriorates as much as Willis hopes. ' The England captain also expects a bigger effort from his star all-rounder. lan Botham, who has failed to reproduce his effervescent match-winning form.

"After the Perth test lan has come to realise he needs to put more time into his match preparation,” said Willis. “lan has been frustrated by his lack of form. He knows he can make a greater contribution. His attitude is good but he’s under a lot of pressure because people are starting to query his ability.” Willis said that England's fast bowling was a problem with the young speedster, Norman Cowans, failing to break through: “His confidence is way down," Willis said.

Willis added that the umpires’ decision to end play early on Sunday because of bad light had been a surprise.

"The light was providing no difficulty when we came off,” he said.