'We need to do the basics extraordinarily well' - Chappell
Greg Chappell's addressed his first press conference after taking over as India's coach and stressed on the importance of mastering the basic skills
Dileep Premachandran
16-Jun-2005
Greg Chappell arrived for his first press conference as India coach flanked by John Gloster and Gregory Allen King, the physio and trainer who will be integral elements of his support staff in the months and years ahead. Attired in a grey T-shirt and looking at least as fit as some of the players, Chappell held court on his first day in the city that will be his home for the next two seasons. Deflecting the awkward or mischievous questions with the same aplomb with which he once flicked balls off his pads, Chappell spoke with the clarity and conviction that have marked him out as one of cricket's finest minds.
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On how it felt to finally be in India
It feels good. I'm delighted to be here. The last two weeks were spent getting organised to come here. So to come to the stadium [Chinnaswamy] this morning, it felt like the cricket was not far away.
It feels good. I'm delighted to be here. The last two weeks were spent getting organised to come here. So to come to the stadium [Chinnaswamy] this morning, it felt like the cricket was not far away.
On how he viewed the task that lay ahead
I've got the opportunity of working with some of the best cricketers in the world. I've got some ideas which I talked about in my presentation to the board. The contents have been widely discussed, and you probably know more about it than I do now [laughs].
I've got the opportunity of working with some of the best cricketers in the world. I've got some ideas which I talked about in my presentation to the board. The contents have been widely discussed, and you probably know more about it than I do now [laughs].
On whether he felt that the coach should have a say in selection
I have an open mind on the subject. At some point, I'd like to sit down with the selection panel and find out what their views are, and discuss some philosophies that I have. Having worked as a selector for Australia, and interacted with the players, I know that what we want is not very different most of the time.
I have an open mind on the subject. At some point, I'd like to sit down with the selection panel and find out what their views are, and discuss some philosophies that I have. Having worked as a selector for Australia, and interacted with the players, I know that what we want is not very different most of the time.
On whether the lack of form of certain players worried him
I'm not overly concerned. You don't lose the talent at this level. And I've found that the best learning experiences are when you're going through tough times.
I'm not overly concerned. You don't lose the talent at this level. And I've found that the best learning experiences are when you're going through tough times.
On how he saw the captain's role, in contrast to the coach
I've always maintained that the captain is the most important individual in a cricket team. He's the one out in the middle with the players, the one who knows what's going on. The coach needs to have a good working relationship with him. But the coach's job is about preparation and planning. On game days, the captain's the main man. Yes, there will be times when you may have to go to the captain with a suggestion or two, but by and large, your role is to support the team.
I've always maintained that the captain is the most important individual in a cricket team. He's the one out in the middle with the players, the one who knows what's going on. The coach needs to have a good working relationship with him. But the coach's job is about preparation and planning. On game days, the captain's the main man. Yes, there will be times when you may have to go to the captain with a suggestion or two, but by and large, your role is to support the team.
On whether a non-performing captain should be retained
You have to understand that not many players have what it takes to succeed at this level. I'd much rather give someone a game too many or a tour too many than one too few. Such players are not easy to find. And it's up to the rest of the team to cover for someone who's out of form. It will happen. No matter how good you are, there will be periods when you're out of form. My views on captaincy are pretty strong. I believe that you pick the best team, and then pick the best person to captain it. If the man is charge is not the best man, then someone else should get it.
You have to understand that not many players have what it takes to succeed at this level. I'd much rather give someone a game too many or a tour too many than one too few. Such players are not easy to find. And it's up to the rest of the team to cover for someone who's out of form. It will happen. No matter how good you are, there will be periods when you're out of form. My views on captaincy are pretty strong. I believe that you pick the best team, and then pick the best person to captain it. If the man is charge is not the best man, then someone else should get it.
On whether the Indians played too much cricket
The busy schedule is part of international cricket now. To deal with that, you need a good squad. There will be injuries, and there will be loss of form, so you have to deal with that. We have to work on mental and physical preparation and the management of injuries.
The busy schedule is part of international cricket now. To deal with that, you need a good squad. There will be injuries, and there will be loss of form, so you have to deal with that. We have to work on mental and physical preparation and the management of injuries.
On whether he would ask for a bowling coach
Discussions are going on with the board as far as support staff are concerned. If we need one, I'm happy to have a bowling coach, but it's not a top priority at the moment. In different times and conditions, we might call upon experts to help us, and not just with the bowling.
Discussions are going on with the board as far as support staff are concerned. If we need one, I'm happy to have a bowling coach, but it's not a top priority at the moment. In different times and conditions, we might call upon experts to help us, and not just with the bowling.
On how he planned to deal with the media attention
It's part of the job profile, as it is in most countries. It's just that this is a bigger country. The scrutiny is quite strong, as is the love of the game. Emotions tend to run high here, and it sometimes seems that the well-being of the country rides on the performance of the cricket team [smiles]. Anyhow, I can't read what you write [referring to the vernacular media].
It's part of the job profile, as it is in most countries. It's just that this is a bigger country. The scrutiny is quite strong, as is the love of the game. Emotions tend to run high here, and it sometimes seems that the well-being of the country rides on the performance of the cricket team [smiles]. Anyhow, I can't read what you write [referring to the vernacular media].
On whether an Australian approach is needed here
Every culture is different, and so is each individual. I'll just make sure we focus on executing the basic skills extraordinarily well. You can't transplant a format that works in one country and expect it to work just as well in another. Sometimes I feel we try to complicate what's actually very simple. No matter what the culture, the team that performs the basics well most consistently is the team that will win most of the time. And that's what we've got to aim for.
Every culture is different, and so is each individual. I'll just make sure we focus on executing the basic skills extraordinarily well. You can't transplant a format that works in one country and expect it to work just as well in another. Sometimes I feel we try to complicate what's actually very simple. No matter what the culture, the team that performs the basics well most consistently is the team that will win most of the time. And that's what we've got to aim for.
On tough love, which characterised his playing days, and whether it was needed with this Indian team
I think you need 15 to 20 guys who are focussed on the job. There are some guys who just aren't capable of that. We just have to identify those that are.
I think you need 15 to 20 guys who are focussed on the job. There are some guys who just aren't capable of that. We just have to identify those that are.
On whether he felt that the players were distracted by too many endorsements
It's probably not my job to decide that. They're entitled to their endorsements as long as they deal with them in their own time.
It's probably not my job to decide that. They're entitled to their endorsements as long as they deal with them in their own time.
On how he planned to deal with "difficult" individuals
I've been involved with some fairly strong-willed characters right from my playing days, guys like Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. All they want is to perform well. It's up to you to create an environment where they can express themselves as individuals while still being part of a team framework.
I've been involved with some fairly strong-willed characters right from my playing days, guys like Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. All they want is to perform well. It's up to you to create an environment where they can express themselves as individuals while still being part of a team framework.
His views on the preparation of pitches in India
I believe that cricket needs a range of conditions to give everyone a chance to shine. My view is that wherever you play, whether it be England, Australia or India, the conditions should be the best possible at that arena.
I believe that cricket needs a range of conditions to give everyone a chance to shine. My view is that wherever you play, whether it be England, Australia or India, the conditions should be the best possible at that arena.
How he defines excellence
It's a commitment to doing the things that are necessary. One bad session can make a difference. We have to apply ourselves the whole time that we're on the field. I read years ago that concentration is the ability to focus on what is important at that moment.
It's a commitment to doing the things that are necessary. One bad session can make a difference. We have to apply ourselves the whole time that we're on the field. I read years ago that concentration is the ability to focus on what is important at that moment.
On whether Sachin Tendulkar's injury bothered him
I'd imagine that it's more of a concern for Sachin. But we have to make do with the talent available. It's an opportunity for someone else, and who knows, you might just unearth the next Indian cricketing champion. In that sense, it could be a blessing in disguise. Now, don't twist my words because I'm not for a minute suggesting that it suits Indian cricket to have Sachin injured [smile].
I'd imagine that it's more of a concern for Sachin. But we have to make do with the talent available. It's an opportunity for someone else, and who knows, you might just unearth the next Indian cricketing champion. In that sense, it could be a blessing in disguise. Now, don't twist my words because I'm not for a minute suggesting that it suits Indian cricket to have Sachin injured [smile].
Dileep Premachandran is assistant editor of Cricinfo