Giles fury fired up fightback

May 19 2008

THE Bears' storming fightback win against Nottinghamshire was fuelled by some forthright words from Ashley Giles after last Friday's defeat to Ireland.

Giles was furious at the performance at Stormont - and let the players know it.

"I felt there was a need for some serious words," the director of cricket said. "We had them and the boys have responded.

"I said to them that I did not feel we had improved week on week. In fact we had probably got worse, judging by the Ireland performance. They deserved a rollicking.

"They responded to it and this game shows we are moving on. But there is still a lot to do.

"With the bat we did not get enough runs and we are still losing early wickets.

"This competition has gone from us but the bonus going into Wednesday's championship game is that we are taking some confidence into it.''

Naqaash Tahir staked a claim for a place against Middlesex on Wednesday with a challenging new-ball spell although, post-match, the injured-plagued player reported a tweak caused in attempting to take a return catch.

Tahir needs to overcome that tweak. Out of contract at the end of the season, the 24-year-old badly needs to string some first-team appearances together. His skill with the ball is indisputable but has often been irrelevant since his debut in 2004 with him in the treatment room.

Monde Zondeki, rested yesterday, will return on Wednesday as should Ian Salisbury, whose sore hamstring is easing. Lee Daggett will miss up to six weeks with a torn side muscle.