Right place, right time
Martin Saggers, a late call-up to the England side for this tour, stands on the brink of his Test debut after Stephen Harmison pulled out of the second Test
Andrew Miller
28-Oct-2003
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In line for a debut: Martin Saggers © Cricinfo |
Martin Saggers, a late call-up to the England side for this tour, stands on the brink of his Test debut after Stephen Harmison pulled out of the second Test. Andrew Miller spoke to him in Bangladesh:
Did you honestly see yourself in this position at the end of last season?
Well, it's all been a bit of a whirlwind, that's for sure. But at the end of every season I always take a look at the tours, to see where they are, and I always want to be there. I have to admit, I did think I was in with a chance, given what I've done in the last few years. And in fact, when the parties were announced I got a call from David Graveney, saying "Unlucky, you were close." So I carried on my fitness training and went off to South Africa, and after four days Flintoff got his injury and I was in the side.
Well, it's all been a bit of a whirlwind, that's for sure. But at the end of every season I always take a look at the tours, to see where they are, and I always want to be there. I have to admit, I did think I was in with a chance, given what I've done in the last few years. And in fact, when the parties were announced I got a call from David Graveney, saying "Unlucky, you were close." So I carried on my fitness training and went off to South Africa, and after four days Flintoff got his injury and I was in the side.
How did you deal with such a last-minute change of plan?
It was quite a performance to get out here. I'd just flown out to South Africa, I immediately flew back to England to get my belongings, and then it was straight on to Dhaka. I did suffer a little bit for the long haul - I just felt tired through my whole body, but after a couple of days, I got right back into it. The South Africa trip had been planned as a bit of end-of-season R&R - a bit of safari and that sort of thing. But also it was about ticking over, because I knew I was close to a call-up. I intended to play a little bit of cricket, rather than sit around in the cold weather without any outdoor bowling.
It was quite a performance to get out here. I'd just flown out to South Africa, I immediately flew back to England to get my belongings, and then it was straight on to Dhaka. I did suffer a little bit for the long haul - I just felt tired through my whole body, but after a couple of days, I got right back into it. The South Africa trip had been planned as a bit of end-of-season R&R - a bit of safari and that sort of thing. But also it was about ticking over, because I knew I was close to a call-up. I intended to play a little bit of cricket, rather than sit around in the cold weather without any outdoor bowling.
Do you think you have a realistic prospect of a Test debut?
I haven't a clue - I've just got to go about my business, and get myself fully prepared. If I make the final XI I'll be chomping at the bit to get out there and get wickets. But my main asset is the ability to swing the ball, and as Matthew Hoggard proved [in the first Test], the Bangladeshis are none too familiar with that form of bowling. Given the chance, I reckon he and I would make a good opening partnership.
I haven't a clue - I've just got to go about my business, and get myself fully prepared. If I make the final XI I'll be chomping at the bit to get out there and get wickets. But my main asset is the ability to swing the ball, and as Matthew Hoggard proved [in the first Test], the Bangladeshis are none too familiar with that form of bowling. Given the chance, I reckon he and I would make a good opening partnership.
Have you ever represented England on tour before?
Nope - I've not done any A tours, so this has been quite an experience. It's been a lot to take in, but I'm enjoying it, and that's the most important thing. Sometimes, even in county cricket, you can put yourself under too much pressure to perform. When you're trying to take wickets and prove yourself all the time, you tend not to bowl as well as you know you can. But this is all a dream come true. I've never been in this position before, and so I'm really quite relaxed.
Nope - I've not done any A tours, so this has been quite an experience. It's been a lot to take in, but I'm enjoying it, and that's the most important thing. Sometimes, even in county cricket, you can put yourself under too much pressure to perform. When you're trying to take wickets and prove yourself all the time, you tend not to bowl as well as you know you can. But this is all a dream come true. I've never been in this position before, and so I'm really quite relaxed.
As one of county cricket's most consistent performers, you must have found Martin Bicknell's selection last summer encouraging?
It was a bit of a boost. A couple of years ago the selectors were always looking to fast-track the younger guys into the England team, which is fair enough because you've always got to look to the future. But at the end of the day, you've got to pick people who are doing the business day-in day-out, and getting the wickets, which is something I've been doing for the past four years. I mean, look at the current Australian side. A lot of their team are over 30, but that doesn't exactly hinder them. So when Bicknell got picked I figured that didn't exclude me from having a chance.
It was a bit of a boost. A couple of years ago the selectors were always looking to fast-track the younger guys into the England team, which is fair enough because you've always got to look to the future. But at the end of the day, you've got to pick people who are doing the business day-in day-out, and getting the wickets, which is something I've been doing for the past four years. I mean, look at the current Australian side. A lot of their team are over 30, but that doesn't exactly hinder them. So when Bicknell got picked I figured that didn't exclude me from having a chance.
Are you really just here as a replacement for Flintoff?
As far as I know, I'm just on board for the Bangladesh trip. But if I get my chance to prove myself, I'd hope to push my way onto another tour. It's not something you can ever predict, as we showed in Australia last winter. With the amount of fast bowlers that can get injured, you can quite easily get roped into the set-up at any time, just as I did. You never know. You always have to alert and ready to play.
As far as I know, I'm just on board for the Bangladesh trip. But if I get my chance to prove myself, I'd hope to push my way onto another tour. It's not something you can ever predict, as we showed in Australia last winter. With the amount of fast bowlers that can get injured, you can quite easily get roped into the set-up at any time, just as I did. You never know. You always have to alert and ready to play.
The Bangladeshis have proved themselves in the last few months. Are you concerned by their challenge?
They had a big series against Pakistan, so we knew they could play even before this tour began. There has never been any thought of relaxation in this squad. No team can assume they will always win, which is why the Aussies are the best in the business. They never rest on their laurels. They fight every session and know they are in a battle all the time, and as such they always come out on top. We have to prove ourselves here, especially on Bangladesh's own turf. But we haven't contemplated defeat at all - that's a negative attitude to have. We will be going in with nothing but positives.
They had a big series against Pakistan, so we knew they could play even before this tour began. There has never been any thought of relaxation in this squad. No team can assume they will always win, which is why the Aussies are the best in the business. They never rest on their laurels. They fight every session and know they are in a battle all the time, and as such they always come out on top. We have to prove ourselves here, especially on Bangladesh's own turf. But we haven't contemplated defeat at all - that's a negative attitude to have. We will be going in with nothing but positives.