The Hindu : Sport : Chappell unperturbed by recent reverses

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Friday, Oct 13, 2006
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Chappell unperturbed by recent reverses

Vijay Lokapally

MASTER AND PUPIL: Chappell's faith in the team rests on the fact that he has immense talent at his disposal, like Mahendra Singh Dhoni. — Photo: AFP

JAIPUR: Greg Chappell is working on a winning mantra in a clinical manner, in control of his job, and knowing well the growing expectations of a cricket-crazy nation. He has his methods, a support staff to back him, and faith in his tactics as the team prepares for the Champions Trophy.

True, some recent results have not really enhanced the reputation of the side but Chappell is not perturbed. "We didn't play well in the West Indies, or perhaps, West Indies played better than us. I wouldn't like to give much importance to what happened at Kuala Lumpur; just two games. We have had good preparation but it would have been nice to have had more cricket in Sri Lanka."

Chappell draws strength for his faith in the team from the fact that he is mighty pleased with the talent at his disposal. "We have got a very good group. There is good talent in all areas and the flexibility factor gives options in the development of the team. There is not a long gap between the number one and the number eight team in the world. Any team is good enough to beat the other on the given day. We are trying to develop young cricketers; develop the back up for each position; and we have to develop them in the heat of the battle and not in the `nets'. I am happy with the way things have shaped."

He tackles the contentious subject of experiments, or development as he stresses, with a firm explanation. "The players understand these changes in the batting order. They are all consulted at every stage. They understand why we need to develop and the need to do it. It is a well thought out process."

His support for the youngsters is backed by a sound statement. "The youngsters have done a wonderful job. We have fast tracked a few people, perhaps some have not coped with it, maybe some were not ready for it, but they have developed very well, and the team is making progress. The job is not finished yet. We are not going back."

He indicated that since the focus was ultimately the World Cup, the team was ready for these flexible changes at the big event next year too.

In Chappell's opinion, it was important to give the youngster a chance when he deserves it rather than wait and lose him. "To me, selection is critical to push the youngsters at the right time. I learnt it as a selector in Australia that you ignore youth at your own peril; ignore talent at your own peril. It is like picking fruit. If you don't pick talent at the right time the development gets stunted."

Role for seniors

What role does he see for the seniors ahead of the Champions Trophy? "The seniors have a specific role, from playing to management, to counselling. The seniors set the tone. A coach can do as much. It is the team that has to perform. The energy level of the team is dictated by the seniors, and the discipline too is dictated by the seniors. The peer group carries the message across with its inputs. The leadership group is very important. This group has a big role to play, and they understand the difference between accepting the first best and the second best."

Chappell is also clear in his reading of the team during failures. "A good day doesn't give you lessons as do bad days."

Praise for players

The Australian, known to be a hard taskmaster, has tremendous praise for the players. "They have to cope with tough times but they are a wonderful group, remarkable and human. It is a pleasure and honour to deal with them. It can be most demanding to be a cricketer in India. Even (Don) Bradman didn't have greater expectations. The Indian cricketers are under tremendous scrutiny from so many quarters and I admire them for the way they cope with it. Their resilience level is remarkably high."

It is this resilience, and his flexibility factor that could play the deciding role in India's Champions Trophy campaign starting with the match against England here on October 15.

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