Where does Pakistan rank amongst the toughest places to tour?

Bat and ball / Paul Moon / 18 December 2007 / 1

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Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Pablo talks us through the nicest and the toughest places on the planet to tour

Rapid progress in international travel and more sympathetic management have made cricket tours significantly less demanding than they used to be but before an England Cricket Squad goes on tour there are four prerequisites for all players.

1. That you are good enough to be selected in the first place and able to contribute positively to the team.
2. That you are in good form and wholly confident of your ability.
3. That you are physically fit and prepared for the rigours of Test cricket in all circumstances.
4. That you are mentally and emotionally fit and prepared for cultural adjustment.

Tours are arduous at the best of times and if any player has a negative against his name it is the Selectors duty not to select him irrespective! The consequence of the team carrying a player or players undermines the team ethic and ultimately hinders a successful tour. History has proved this numerous times.

In the past we have had examples of our best players picking tours and they have got away with it. I believe that before making a Test debut players should swear allegiance to England CCC or not be considered.

The only opt outs of touring would be serious illness or a death in the family. Having babies, domestic strife and homesickness would not warrant a flight home. I do not subscribe to the 'burnout apology'. You either want to play for England or you don't! I would also ban wives or girl friends from these trips.

Players that aspire recognition should want to pit their skills abroad but it is not easy. The quality of opposition, heat and conditions, poor pitches and the raucous supporters will make things difficult but it is part of their cricket education. It's important to acclimatise to the conditions quickly and not whinge and make excuses if things don't go your way. Different countries throw up different conundrums but that is the examination. The more different conditions you can play in the better player you become.

Australia is obviously the hardest place to get a result but touring there should be the highlight of a player's career. A beautiful country with great pitches and supporters make this the sexiest tour. The training facilities are superb and the food and weather fantastic. Little chance of picking up bugs and tummy trouble here. If you cannot take sledging do not walk out into the middle, the Aussies are the masters at getting under your skin, they can mentally disintegrate you if you are not tough enough!

For me the second hardest place to get a result but the most difficult and perilous place to travel is to Pakistan. The practice facilities and pitches are poor and purposely designed to assist the home side. The political undercurrent is always visible and the spectators can be quite intimidating. Utmost care is compulsory with etiquette. Personally it would be the tour I would like least. Sir Ian Botham agrees with me.

When I was in the cricket business I was surprised at the difference between Pakistan and India regarding hospitality. Although the same region and similar conditions, India would be a much better tour, the pitches and facilities are that much better and you are more likely to get a friendly welcome there.

New Zealand, South Arica and the West Indies are usually trips to savour and our fickle players tend to be available and look forward to those.

I regard the current Sri Lanka tour as the third hardest getting a result and on a par with an Indian tour for all else. England should be delighted and honoured to be the first team to play a Test match at Galle since the Tsunami struck in 2004. Whilst remembering what happened here the players must be positive after assessing the conditions. Winning Test matches in Sri Lanka is difficult at any time but this is not a great side, England could go close to winning if they perform! Because of the recent rain the draw is favourite at [1.47] with Betfair. An England victory is [9.6] and Sri Lanka are [4.2].

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Andy H | 19 December 2007

Good article. Gives a flavour of what awaits the touring cricketer around the world. I wonder sometimes though whether these cricketers fully appreciate what an opportunity they've been given