DIMITRI MASCARENHAS is hoping his own example of fluctuating fortunes can help England complete a stunning turnaround and claim a one-day series triumph over West Indies.
The tourists looked set for a convincing series defeat following Friday’s humiliating eight-wicket loss at the Kensington Oval when they were dismissed for just 117 and West Indies completed victory in just 14.4 overs of their reply.
Hampshire all-rounder Mascarenhas’ fortunes were also at a low ebb having been hammered for 24 in one over by Chris Gayle, only three matches after forcing his way back into England’s one-day plans.
But just 48 hours later Mascarenhas dusted himself down and played a key role in England’s nine-wicket win at the same venue, bowling with accuracy and skill to claim three for 26 from his 10 overs to set up Friday’s series decider in St Lucia.
It was an amazing reversal of fortunes for 31-year-old Mascarenhas, whose England chances appeared to have gone after he was overlooked for last summer’s home series against South Africa and the tour to India before Christmas.
"That’s just the game of cricket," enthused Mascarenhas, who was born in London but brought up in Australia. "Chris Gayle is an amazing player as he showed again yesterday and I was fortunate enough not to have to bowl to him.
"I just keep trying to do what I do best, put the ball on the spot, change the pace a little bit and hopefully pick up a few wickets and not go for many runs.
"One day you can go for a few and the next day you can get three for 20, that’s just how it is. To be honest, I didn’t actually do anything different in the two games. "If you haven’t already been hit for 24 or 30 in an over or whatever it is, at some stage in your career you’re going to get hit for that - that’s just what happens as a bowler.
"I don’t think too many guys really get down about going for a few runs. It’s going to happen and you’re going to come out better for it anyway."
The same applies to the whole England team, who reacted to Friday’s hammering by cancelling a day off the following day and instead returned to the scene of the crime for a practice session and meeting.
The hardline approach worked with England exploiting a favourable Duckworth-Lewis target to cruise home with nine balls to spare and the tourists now believe they can take that momentum into Friday’s decider at the Beausejour Stadium.
"It was a pretty humiliating loss (on Friday), we got absolutely pumped," admitted Mascarenhas. "As professional sportsmen no one ever wants to lose, we’re desperate to win every game and to lose like that is pretty embarrassing. Everyone was very happy at turning it around in a huge way, it was a pretty convincing win."We’ve shown what we can do, we’ve just got to keep repeating that. It hasn’t been the best of winters for the England cricket team as yet, but we’ve got a really huge chance next Friday to turn that right around and come away with a series win in the West Indies which would be a great effort."
England travelled from Barbados to St Lucia overnight and will follow a similar routine to the preparation for their back-to-back matches at the Kensington Oval, which will involve fitness training tomorrow (Tuesday) before practicing at the ground on Wednesday and Thursday.
