Moores' Enlightened Approach Pays Off

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind. Students of Buddhism might recognize such enduring advice as an excerpt from the Dhammapada, verses that tradition holds were spoken by the Buddha after he had attained enlightenment. England players might just hear an inkling of Peter Moore's imploring them to make the most of their ability. Here is an England coach who is not afraid to educate his mind.

On his first overseas tour as coach of England, Moore's attempts at acclimatisation have gone much further than those of many who preceded him. The priority of England's last coach, Duncan Fletcher, was to seek out the best steak in town. England captains have had their own ideas. Nasser Hussain wanted the air conditioning turned off. Keith Fletcher recommended a large tot of whiskey at bedtime to ward off stomach cramps. David Gower always packed a corkscrew.

Moores, to his credit, has sought to understand the culture that pins together Sri Lanka. He has not pushed the Dhammapada under his players' doors, as the former Australian coach, John Buchanan, once did the thoughts of a Chinese warlord. He has read for his own benefit and, perhaps in some way, that of his players.

Perhaps Monty Panesar, who will play his first match today - a dead rubber with England 3-1 up with one to play - might consider this to get himself in the right frame of mind because it cannot have been easy for England's senior spinner to sit back and watch his former Northants partner, Graeme Swann take the plaudits:

"Check your mind,

Be on your guard,

Pull yourself out.

As an elephant from mud."

Panesar gains his chance because Swann has torn a hamstring, an injury England are confident will heal in two weeks and so will not rule him out of the three-Test series in Sri Lanka before Christmas. A few weeks ago, he was a controversial one-day selection, now England are desperate for him to be fit for the Tests, where the anticipated absence through injury of Andrew Flintoff might give him a debut at No7 as England's second spinner.

"It is a shame for Graeme," said Moore's. "He has had a really good tour. He has bowled beautifully. He has turned the ball more than any spinner in the series and he has taken the opportunities to dominate. It is important that he keeps his feet on the ground. He couldn't have done much more to stay in the frame for the Test series.

"It has been tough for Monty because it is the sub-continent where spinners normally dominate. But the wickets have dictated that seam is as good as spin. Monty is improving at one-day cricket. He has enough variety to make himself a successful one-day bowler. The more he plays, the better his decision-making will be."