England Set Tone for Tour

England triumphied by one run on the Duckworth Lewis method last night in the tour curtain-raiser at the Bull Ring in Johannesburg, but it was the manner of performance rather than the result which will have left Andy Flower and the England camp feeling very satisfied with how the tourists are preparing for the more serious business that follow these Pro20 hors d'oeuvres.

The Champion's Trophy had shown glimpses of a new English attitude towards the shorter forms of the game. Throughout that tournament England played with a previously unseen freedom. Gone were the singles and nudges which had so often resulted in lifeless middle overs, and batsmen who had spent so much of their recent careers seemingly so afraid of losing their wickets that they were unwilling to chance their arm for victory were reborn or replaced with a middle order capable of both finding and clearing the rope.

The result was that Andrew Strauss's men notched up some impressive scalps and returned to England with renewed optimism that they could compete with the best in the world over one day as well as five. It was vital that they began this tour in the same frame of mind; playing fearless cricket in order to assert themselves against such fine opposition.

In truth, the result last night was of little importance. Obviously it is always better to win than to lose but in truth both the result last night and in Sunday's repeat fixture will have little bearing on the overall complexion of either the ODI or Test series. They serve merely to hype the upcoming series and neither side would trade victory in these two fixtures for overall supremacy in the older formats.

So if the financial bonuses are taken out of the equation, what (if any) is the pure cricketting value of these fixtures where victory is of such comparative unimportance? The only way to make an impression in these fixtures is to play aggressive and fearless cricket, making a clear statement of intent. If England were to play the way they did a couple of months ago and lose, they would have a much better chance of winning the mind games before the ODI series begins next Friday.

When Joe Denly was dismissed first ball it would have given England the perfect excuse to retreat back into their shell and revert to their old ways, but as Jonathon Trott took 18 of Dale Steyn's first over it was clear that this was not on the cards. Trott himself was run out after a moment of hesitation for an impressive 33, allowing Morgan to join Collingwood and share a partnership of 98 for the fourth wicket.

Collingwood's innings was perhaps the best illustration of the new mentality Flower has instilled. The archetypal grafter, so often in recent years either unable or unwilling to wrest the initiative from the opposition had a swagger to accompany his new high backlift. Not only did he look a more imposing proposition at the crease, he looked more relaxed than I recall seeing him in recent years and it clearly paid off as he cleared the rope 4 times on his way to an quickfire half century.

Although Collingwood may have looked like a new man, it was the relatively inexperienced Morgan, continuing his good form from the Champion's Trophy who rightly drew most plaudits. His 85* from a mere 45 deliveries had literally everything that has been lacking in an English middle order in coloured kit. A phenomenally powerful man for his size he combined intelligent placement with brutal inside out hitting, as well as moments of improvisation and inspiration.

Two of his five maximums will have left Graeme Smith under no doubt that England's middle order is no longer content to merely let overs tick by. Hitting Steyn out of the ground was magical, but is almost forgettable compared to the arrogant flick over fine leg in the final over off Charl Langeveldt. Over recent years we have seen the switch hit, the Dil-scoop, but this required all the bravery of Dilshan's innovation as well as the movement of the switch hit. Put simply, this boy is very special.

He is also surrounded by a fresh middle order which, in virtue of the qualities the players not only have but are allowed to express doesn't put pressure on itself in the ways of old. Trott, the revitalised Collingwood, Prior and Wright are all shot makers, so it is less that those stale periods, often followed by a flurry of wickets as scared players try and overhit their way out of trouble will be allowed to happen.

The bowlers will have been disappointed with their inability to bowl tighter lines, but the replacement of Mahmood with Anderson as the rain came down meant England were able to keep the South African's at behind the required target. Although the track was excellent for strokeplay they will be aware that as a unit they will need to improve, and it isn't impossible the Broad and possibly Onions will return on Sunday with that level of control in mind.

Most importantly though, England have clearly arrived with business in mind on this winter tour. They have not suddenly become world beaters and there will be times when their strokeplay gets them into trouble. If you require comparison think of Newcastle United under Keegan in the 90's: great to watch, very entertaining, but always with more than a tinge of risk. It will bring victory far more often than the old, tentative approach but more importantly in the context of this tour it has made sure the Proteas know they are in for a tough few months.