Graveney tells England to tighten up against Aussies

DAVID GRAVENEY has urged England to avoid a repeat of the errors which blighted their performance in the first npower Test if they are to gain revenge over Australia at Edgbaston.

Michael Vaughan's side were competitive at various times of the opening contest at Lord's but they ultimately paid the penalty for a host of dropped catches.

The most costly of these saw Kevin Pietersen put down Michael Clarke when he had made only 21 in the second innings.

The Australian went onto make 91 and take the game out of England's reach as they slumped to a 239-run reversal with a day to spare.

Chairman of selectors Graveney is keen not to overplay this facet of England's game, but is aware they will have to be firing on all cylinders on what is likely to be a slow and low wicket after the recent rain deluges.

Graveney said: "In my playing experience, when you play against really good teams, you feel you cannot afford to let mistakes happen.

"The margin was huge by the end of the first Test but, at various stages, if we hadn't dropped a number of catches which you cannot do against opposition like this then the margin might have been different. "But there is no point making a huge issue of it. Then it will happen again.

"The one thing that seems to have caused more frustration and anger was our demise in the second innings on the Sunday afternoon which I can fully agree with."

Graveney is calling for England to produce the type of performance which will guarantee the support of the public, with Edgbaston renowned as one of the grounds where patriotism is at its most feverish for the home side.

"I also have very happy memories from there of 1997, when we beat Australia in what was my first ever Test as chairman of selectors.

"We will get support at any ground we play at because they will all be full. But you have to earn that support," he said.

Meanwhile, Australia warmed up in impressive fashion for the second Test despite declining the chance to force victory in the tour game with Worcestershire at New Road.

The tourists bowled out their hosts for 187 in 44 overs despite the absence of the rested Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

However, they took the opportunity for further batting practice in the second innings, rather than enforcing the follow-on, meaning the match ended in a draw.