Crunch test for Border

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 29

Crunch test for Border

NZPA-AAP Manchester In six days Allan Border could become the first Australian cricket captain in 55 years to win back the Ashes in England. It would be the culmination of an outstanding career, and just reward for years of dedication and effort that has won the admiration of the cricketing world. Border, the first Australian to embark deliberately on a career as a professional cricketer, is in no mood to blow it. He believes the fourth test which starts at Old Trafford today (late N.Z. time) is the crucial match of, the series. In his previous Ashes tours

to England in 1981 and 1985, Australia has gone into the fourth test with the series poised at one-all. Each time the Australians have fallen away and England has won two of the final three tests. "I’m very conscious that this is the real crunch time for us, and we’ve got to keep producing the goods.” “In 'Bl and ’B5 they were really starting to hit their straps at this stage whereas now they’re still a little bit out of sorts. This time we haven’t really slackened off at all so there’s a slightly different approach going into this game. "The underlying fact is that

we’ve got to finish strongly not to undo all the good work.”At 2-0 there should be no thoughts of not bringing home the Ashes. The English bookmakers have stopped taking money on the series result, and are offering odds of 4-1 against England to win this test.

Australia is 5-4 and a draw is even money. The confidence in the Australian camp is accurately reflected in the odds.

Border believes there is no comparison between this team and the two previous teams in England. “I think we’ve got most of the positions well covered this time,”

“All the players are playing well. The weather has helped us get a fantastic preparation. “We’ve got so much cricket in it’s been ideal. We’ve been able to keep everyone in pretty good form.” Teams:

England (from): Graham Gooch, Tim Curtis, Tim Robinson, David Gower (captain), Robin Smith, lan Botham, Jack Russell, John Emburey, Neil Foster, Graham Dilley, Angus Fraser, Geoff Cook. Australia (from): Geoff Marsh, Mark Taylor, David Boon, Allan Border (captain), Dean Jones, Steve Waugh, lan Healy, Trevor Hohns, Merv Hughes, Geoff Lawson, Tim May, Terry Aiderman.