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Journalism of Courage
Both England and West Indies had a day off and some key West Indian players spent their Monday reliving their Indian roots here. England,though,are more inclined to think of their on-field familiarity with the city and,more importantly,the Chepauk wicket where they won
a humdinger against South Africa the other day,on a dry pitch that spun viscously to trigger debate on its under-preparedness.
Its a myth that the sub-continent is the best place for spinners. It certainly isnt the grounds are very small,the batsmen are the best players of spin and the wickets are not the dust bowls of 30 years ago,Chennai excluded. If teams are getting 300 then as a bowler you just have to make sure your ten overs go for less than the others, he says,convinced that containing runs was the key to success in one-dayers. I always look for containment in ODI cricket. Wickets are only a by-product, he said.
The 31-year-old is confident England can make it to the knock-out stages despite all the criticism,refusing to blame either the Ashes or the subsequent ODI series.
For a start,half of the other teams follow a very similar schedule which,by the way,I feel is ludicrous but Im certainly not going to turn around and say thats why were not playing well, he said.
And then,he goes on to reveal another side the humane one,far away from cricket and the job at hand.
Its all about perspective some would say were in a most privileged position, the England spinner said. An earthquake and tsunami has just killed thousands of people in one part of the world; theres a war going on in Libya and elsewhere. It would be ridiculous if I was to sit here and crib about oh my God these five-star hotels and all this travel. Its just our job. If its an issue then retire from international cricket and play county cricket. Its hard to do day in and day out but thats what we strive for. It would certainly be easier if we played 20 games less a year,games nobody cares about,but Im not on the ICC committee and its my personal view, he said.
