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Photo: K.Bhagya Prakash

Best finisher Michael Bevan has redefined the attitude of batsmen

In the City recently, Bevan shared his thoughts with `Metro Plus.’ Bevan feels that most of the teams in contemporary cricket have a defeatist attitude when they face Australians while the body language of the latter always presents a picture of confidence and an immense desire to win at any cost. ``It is the attitude which matters more than anything else.

There is a definite element of intimidatory approach in the Australian team and they complement it with a high level of consistency," he explained.

“No doubt, they may not be as dominating as they have been for close to 15 years now once the big guns retire. But the transition should be really smooth as there are quite a gifted cricketers ready to face the challenge," he said to a query.

Comparing this Indian team with the ones he faced earlier, Bevan feels that the Twenty-20 World Cup title-triumph is a major pointer of the emerging `Young Brigade’ of Indian cricket. "But again, consistency is the key and hallmark of any great team," he added.

For someone who is considered as one of the best finishers in the one-day history, Bevan modestly says that he never considered himself on those lines. ``I think players should understand the importance of playing well in any order they are asked. In my case, I enjoyed batting lower down the order. I was always comfortable," he added. Rating the 1999 World Cup victory under Steve Waugh, the last-ball victory against West Indies in a 1996 triangular series when he hit Roger Harper for a four as some of his most memorable experiences in one-day cricket, Bevan is dejected that he was out of contention at 27 itself. ``I was really playing well and was terribly disappointed to finish the way I did," he added.

"Well, the big regret of my life is that I have not played too many Test matches. I always thought I was suited for that version of the game also," he said to a query, referring to his Test record of 18 matches scoring 785 runs.

The former Australian one-day great pays rich compliments to the likes of Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke and Andrew Symmonds. ``They are all capable of winning the matches on their own. It is always a great feeling to have them down the order to turn the match around," he said when asked to name anyone who can be close to his reputation as the best finisher in the current Australian side.

On ICL, Bevan says it is an exciting thing to happen to world cricket.

"I strongly believe this will be the new order in cricket world," he asserts even while acknowledging the wonderful practice facilities at Lahari Resorts on the outskirts of the City and also expressing an intense desire to be back at the venue for future camps.

For the few enthusiasts who assembled at the venue, the sight of Michael Bevan coaching the mix of Indian and foreign cricketers was as a rare experience as spotting Bevan himself in India itself.

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