Reviving English cricket
Stewart enlists Australian help in Ashes campaign
Posted: Wednesday October 21, 1998 04:07 PM
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Stewart recognized Australia as probably the toughest side mentally along with South Africa Graham Chadwick/Allsport |
LONDON (Reuters) -- As an open admirer of all things Australian, Alec Stewart knows what it will take to overcome the world's best side in its own backyard.
Consequently the England captain had no hesitation when offered the services of former Australian leg-spinner Peter Philpott to assist in the latest Ashes campaign.
"Whatever helps England, I am happy to use," Stewart said at his final news conference before England embarked on its Ashes odyssey this week.
Stewart will need every bit of help he can get if he is to become the first England captain since Mike Gatting in 1986-7 to return home with the Ashes.
His predecessor Mike Atherton injected some badly needed steel into England cricket, but could not win a major series and finally resigned in the Caribbean this year once his batting form began to slump.
Stewart, who had long harbored ambitions to lead his country, was the natural successor but there were real doubts whether he could combine the duties of captain, top-order batsman and wicketkeeper.
In the event against South Africa, Stewart came through with flying colors, batting with determination and panache, keeping efficiently and reversing a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 series victory.
"If we can repeat our performance against South Africa then we stand a good chance," he said. "If we go out there and under-perform then we will be walked all over.
"If we go out there just as individuals we don't have a chance."
Stewart said the Australian tour represented the biggest challenge of his career.
"It's the biggest challenge we're going to come up against," he said. "They're probably the toughest side mentally along with South Africa, but Australia are little bit tougher."
He would also like to beat the top Australian side, including Shane Warne whose imminent return to test cricket after a shoulder operation has become increasingly doubtful.
"I would like to say we beat the best Australian side," he said. "If we beat them it would be nice to say we beat the best. He's the best spinner I have ever seen."
At 35, Stewart is fitter than ever and an impeccable professional.
He is also the only man in cricket history to captain his country, keep wicket and bat in the top order.
Now he has the chance to cement his place in the history books by becoming only the third captain since World War I after Douglas Jardine and Ray Illingworth to reclaim the Ashes in Australia.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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