1s, 23 April 2004, friendly, home
However overall lack of practice, concentration and fitness did show with too many no balls and wides, four and six gimme balls. It was like watching highlights as after a series of boundaries their would be 1 or 2 good balls etc. However although they probably got50 more than they should have, the score of 241 was well within our sights on that wicket. Unfortunately, like the bowling and fielding, lack of training/practice came to the fore, finishing on 50 something all out.
Some good points were although chances were few and far between no basic dropped catches were made and what fielding went to hand was fairly clean, having said that there were a few half chances which in league terms could mean the difference between promotion places and mid table, but is something that can be worked on. The support was also much better to fielders rather than the old sydney harbour comment support was given (Must admit I did have to bite my tongue hard when Bear made one of his two dives!)
With the batting you did tend to get the here we go again feeling, but is something that also can easily be worked on with some hard training sessions. At home it is important, and at this time of year, to get on the front foot as much as possible as I noticed quite a lot of the wickets were aided by people not getting forward or lack of foot movement. Practice and hard work.
All in all, disappointing - yes, but if worked on it can easily be turned round quickly, and there is no substitute for match practice, so lets make use of the last few friendly matches and importantly if we're still struggling a little, Sundays.