No need to panic after defeat in warm-up match: Gatting

Dubai, Nov 11 (UNI) The sound battering in the tour opener against the Prime Minster's XI has only added to the woes of their already apprehensive supporters but former England captain Mike Gatting advises fans not to press the panic button.

''It was just a warm-up match and its result should not be taken seriously. It was also only a one-day game,'' Gatting told Gulf News here.

Already injury-depleted, Andrew Flintoff's side lost the warm-up match by 166 runs in Canberra yesterday and it was hardly a convincing show by the visitors.

Gatting, who is here to participate in the Emirates Airline Festival of Cricket, refuses to give in and refused to read much into the defeat.

''The English players were still finding their feet and did not play some of their leading players.

''We did not even play our pacers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison in the match. Even Monty Panesar was not used much. It was a match meant to just loosen up,'' said the former captain, who led England to victory during the 1986-87 Ashes series.

The former right-hander batsman believes England would get into the groove well before Brisbane hosts the first Test on November 23.

Gatting believes paceman Steve Harmison would be the key while Flintoff bowling again was also a very good sign for the side.

''Flintoff has also started to bowl and that is good news. With Hoggard and Panesar, England's attack looks good,'' he added.

And asked about England's chances, Gatting insisted, ''It will be an evenly-contested series.'' UNI XC AY VA HS1232