Postcard (19 April 1999)

19 April 1999

Postcard

from Justin Langer

The Aussies all fired up after gutsy win in Trinidad

On greeting Middlesex scorer Mike Smith when I returned to Lords last week, he smiled and said: "Hi Justin, I feel like I have watching you play all winter, it is as if you haven't been away at all. Back in my day, you would be lucky if you even heard a score on the wireless let alone have the opportunity to watch every ball, of every overseas Test match, on the television."

He is so true. With the advent of cable or satellite television, it is possible to watch international cricket until your eyes fall out. Last night I sat in a small, smoky wine bar in West Hampstead, just north of Lords, and watched the good guys pull off a remarkable victory at the Port-of-Spain ground in Trinidad. Thanks to satellite TV I was able to see every ball bowled.

The guys fought like only I would expect, making runs so hard to come by that the pressure eventually choked the West Indian batsmen like a tightening noose. The fielding was brilliant and it was heartening to see the sparkle back in Warney's eyes, and the other bowler's standing up for the fight even without their number one hitman, Glenn McGrath.

Although the West Indies tour has been a tough one for a number of the boys I think yesterday's victory could prove to be a significant milestone in the preparations for the World Cup. It is easy for a talented side to win games when they are on top, but it is how they cope in the tougher periods that distinguishes the best teams. From the reactions of the guys it was evident how pumped they were with the result and if I know anything about the Aussie cricket team, it is that they get tougher and tougher to beat as the team spirit grows. Last night's win, under pressure, can only improve the spirit of the team and it won't surprise me to see the Aussies going from strength to strength from now until the World Cup final.

One of the main men in Australia's one-day side is Michael Bevan. It is absolutely incredible how he is able to hold together the middle order like a tube of super glue. I remember speaking with Bevo in Brisbane last summer and he told me that his goal every time he plays the one-day game is to be not out at the end of the innings. His philosophy is very simple: "If I am there at the end, we will more often than not win the game, simple as that." He is certainly achieving this objective almost every time he walks to the middle and it is this incredible consistency that makes him the best one-day player in the world. He will be one of the featuring players in the World Cup starting in May.

A lot of people have asked me about my innings of 241 last week at Lords. If the truth be known, the only reason I batted for so long is that it was the only way to keep warm in this terribly cold weather. With another game starting tomorrow, I have employed the double-lined thermal undies to get me through.

From Lords, JL