India must face up to faulty fielding

Whether or not Paul Collingwood takes the field tomorrow, India will have to up their fielding if they are to threaten. I mention Collingwood in this context because, as a brilliant fielder, he sets the standard and his players follow.

Fielding, when it comes to the one-day game, is essentially divided into two parts: catching and stopping. One depends primarily on judgment and skill, the other on athleticism. Sadly, India have always been better at the former, and the result is starting to show.

When I say Indians are better at catching, I should probably refine it further and say close catching, because Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman are among the best close catchers that I have seen.

Unfortunately, you won't get any close catching in one-day games as one-day cricket is all about saving runs in the outfield, and the Indians are appalling in that respect. There are too many poor throws, and too many slips through groping hands, so that at the end of the day, you have given away at least 20 extra runs, which may not only mean the difference between victory and defeat, but also demoralise the bowlers.

Conversely, the way England's fielders have been throwing themselves around and cutting off the singles is enough to lift a bowler. And thereby hangs another tale. If you aren't athletic enough to cut off a quick single, and none of the Indians seem to be at the moment, it stands to reason you can't run a quick single either.

Therefore, the batsmen are under immense pressure to play big shots to make up the run deficit. England's batsmen, by contrast, have seemed far more alert and on the lookout for the second run. As with so many other aspects of cricket, the Australians have got it right. It is unlikely any player will be allowed into the team unless he's a brilliant fielder, or unless he's an exceptional talent.

In Robin Singh, India have an fine example, because he made it to the squad owing to his exceptional fielding. However, he needs to be work with youngsters if India are to improve long term because the raw material he is currently working with doesn't promise much.

Finally, when are India going to stop chasing? I would have thought Dravid had learned his lesson after Bristol. For England, these really have been lucky tosses to lose. And if Dravid chooses to field first at Old Trafford, I for one may be rendered speechless, and that is saying something.