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Sporting Stewart Captain urges fans to get behind England
Posted: Wednesday May 19, 1999 05:17 PM
LONDON (Press Association) -- Captain Alec Stewart today appealed to London's sporting public to help continue England's impressive World Cup momentum by turning Saturday's crunch match against South Africa into a rival attraction to the FA Cup Final. After completing impressive victories over holders Sri Lanka and unfancied Kenya, Stewart is well aware England are well-placed to seal a place in the top three of Group A and qualify for the Super Six stage. But despite the fact the majority of the country are likely to be tuning in to discover whether Manchester United can complete the second leg of an unprecedented treble against Newcastle, Stewart is anxious England's World Cup challenge does not become overshadowed by events at Wembley. "We're not getting over-excited because we've only played two games," stressed Stewart.
"The first one was a big win and we had to win against Kenya, but Saturday against South Africa will be the biggest game of the group and it could well decide the placings at the end of the initial stage of the tournament. "It's a big game and hopefully the Londoners will come to the cricket and the Northerners can go to Wembley - England against South Africa in any sport is big, but especially in cricket." Stewart believes victory over the tournament favourites at the Oval will not only put down a marker to other sides about England's World Cup credentials, but also play a key role in deciding the final placings in the group. It is for that reason that Stewart is eager for a healthy crowd to roll up at the Oval and cheer them on as enthusiastically as they have done at Lord's and Canterbury during their opening victories. "We've played some good cricket so far and we want to try and continue that throughout the tournament, but especially on Saturday," explained Stewart. "We've had two good wins and when England do well the crowd does get behind us and I'd like to think that on Saturday there will be 16-17,000 people shouting England on again. "They play very good cricket so we have to be on the ball and try and match them and play as well as we have so far. "They are the form side and deserve to be the tournament favourites, but it's all down to how each side plays on the day." Yesterday's eight wickets win over Kenya was achieved despite a mix-up over the length of interval - with umpires KT Francis and Rudi Koertzen lengthening instead of shortening the break between innings and two rain delays. Once again Darren Gough proved his immense value by claiming four for 34 to take his tally to 102 one-day internationals wickets. The Yorkshireman is now third on the all-time list of England's leading wicket-takers in one-day internationals behind Ian Botham and Phil DeFreitas. His efforts enabled England to dismiss Kenya for 203 despite a superb 71 from Steve Tikolo and an unbeaten 34 from 32 deliveries from Thomas Odoyo. And after losing captain Stewart in the 10th over, Nasser Hussain and Graeme Hick propelled their side to victory with 11 overs remaining. Hussain, who finished unbeaten on 88, provided further evidence that his superior technique at the top of the order may prove more successful in English conditions than the more flamboyant style of Nick Knight. "I know what a top class player Nasser is," added Stewart. "He played really well for 88 not out - he hasn't opened a lot but he's showed what he can do. "There's not a lot of difference between playing number three and opening - you've got to be used to playing the new ball." Press Association - the Source for UK News and Information
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