TOM PUTS BEST FOOT FORWARD
Westley has temperament to succeed
As Tom WesTley battled his way from 28 to 50 between the start of the fourth morning and lunch, the evidence grew that england had found a No 3 with the temperament for the job.
Technique and tempo provided plenty of material for the analysts too. But of the temperament — that non-negotiable for any top- order batsman in this country — there could be little doubt.
It may not have been the kind of approach designed to persuade 10-year-olds to divert their affection from Twenty20 to Tests. yet after the stick england received at Trent Bridge, where it seemed they were accused of everything from disrespecting Test cricket to triggering global warming, it was a start. In time, it may turn into even more.
Westley’s first- innings 25 had contained five nicely struck fours and confirmed the pre-match intelligence — a love of the leg side forged by a strong bottom hand, and a closed face liable to interest bowlers outside off.
so when he was caught at slip aiming to drive Chris morris towards mid-on, the sages nodded knowingly. Another technical flaw had been captured by the cameras, another county pro challenged to make the step up.
The easiest thing for Westley to have done on the fourth morning would have been to respond to the web south Africa’s seamers had created by thrashing his way out of trouble. After all, england began the day leading by 252; the licence was there, and few would have grumbled had he indulged.
Instead, in an age of sat-nav cricket — when the quickest route is the preferred route — Westley opted for the road less travelled. In the two hours before lunch, under glowering skies and against an attack that regards easy runs as a personal insult, he managed 22 runs from 88 balls.
By the time he was stumped off Keshav maharaj after the break for 59, he had laid the platform england wanted. Between lunch and the declaration, they cracked 160 at more than five an over, their freedom granted by the abstinence that preceded it.
A strike-rate of 25 per 100 balls will not always be the ticket. It was clear south Africa knew not to serve up anything straight and encourage more comparisons with John Crawley, england’s leg-side master from the 1990s.
And so he will need to find ways to deal with bowlers who are quick to assess his pros and cons. There will not be many freebies. But it has been a game in which the batsmen who have prospered have been the ones capable of adjusting when the clouds have stayed low and the ball has seamed: Alastair Cook and Ben stokes in england’s first innings, Temba Bavuma in south Africa’s first, Westley in england’s second.
And as the miserable fate of south Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis — lbw for one and nought after twice shouldering arms — the art of judging movement around off stump has been a fine one.
There have been flurries, too. on Friday, stokes moved from 91 to 109 with three sixes in three deliveries off maharaj, while Jonny Bairstow’s total of 99 runs have come off 110 balls. yet the flurries were possible only because of the care and attention.
so when Westley had a pre-lunch hack at maharaj, toe-ending the ball harmlessly towards midwicket, his abandon came as a jolt. on only his fourth day of Test cricket, he was already assuming an air of solidity.
These have not been an easy few months for england’s selectors, so the success at The oval of both Westley and Toby Roland-Jones affords them welcome breathing space.
It was also a reminder of the vicissitudes of the job, for Westley owes his place here not just to his good form with Championship leaders essex, but to Gary Ballance’s broken finger.
Ballance’s unlucky break came about just as the vultures were gathering, and it allowed the selectors a convenient way of exploring an alternative without dropping a player who came with the personal backing of Joe Root.
Westley’s runs have also meant the double failure of fellow debutant Dawid malan has gone under the radar. And with Ballance unlikely to be fit in time for Friday’s fourth Test, malan is set for another chance.
At times such as these, with an Ashes tour on the horizon, english cricketers are forever judged by their potential to prosper in Australia. Right now, england will settle for a bit of top-order solidity, and Westley has answered the call.