Campbell's diary: we need to bring India's run to an end

Alistair Campbell

June 14, 2001

After winning the toss in the First Test and deciding to bat, we needed to bat well as it was a very good wicket, and a poor start would put us on the back foot straight away. In fact, we put up a very feeble batting display and 173 on a good pitch put us right behind the 8 ball. The bowlers responded well and at one stage it looked as though they might only get 50 or so ahead of us but Harbhajan Singh with bat in hand this time made a very important 66 to give India a lead of 145.

We batted a little better second time around - Andrew Flower aided by brother Grant to the fore again. India needed 184 at the conclusion of our second innings, but injuries to Heath Streak (knee problem) and Henry Olanga (hamstring ) put paid to any realistic chance of us winning the game. In the end a comprehensive eight-wicket win for India was just reward.

However, as the saying goes, it's no use crying over spilt milk; we cannot dwell on the poor performance of our batsmen in the First Test, but make sure we get it right for the second one which starts on Friday. As happens very often when an innings goes wrong, there is over-analysis of technique and opposition. In this case there was none of that as we realised that we were dismissed by innocuous deliveries playing very poor shots, commonly referred to as soft dismissals.

The Indians must feel very confident at this stage. They played some good cricket in patches and one thing I have noticed is that their fielding and intensity in the field has improved dramatically.

It is common knowledge worldwide that when the Indians get on a roll it is very hard to stop them. It is getting to that stage now and we have to do something to combat this - watch this space.

On a serious note, though this is a very important Test Match for us and probably more important for the Indians to collect their first away series win in something like 15 years. They are not going to get it without a fight and we are ready for battle!

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Players/Umpires

Alistair Campbell

Series/Tournaments

India tour of Zimbabwe

Teams

India

Zimbabwe