The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : It's my turn to help youngsters: Geoff Boycott

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

It's my turn to help youngsters: Geoff Boycott

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 5. "I'm here to spend time with the coach (John Wright) and the captain (Sourav Ganguly) and to talk to the players who want to discuss things with me. I've been with the boys for three sessions and spoke to them in private and it'll stay private," said Geoffrey Boycott, a premier batting analyst.

"I like being in India. I love the team. You have some lovely players. It's a pleasure to be with them," the former England opener told a press conference on the third day of the Asia Cup probables camp at the Chidambaram Stadium here on Monday.

"There is no way I'll discuss with you what I discussed with the players. I have a good rapport with them. They have the confidence to come and ask me things from time to time. It's private and confidential. I wouldn't embarrass them by disclosing it to the public."

Boycott will move to Bangalore after the camp here. "The BCCI invited me to come and I'm delighted. After this, I'm going to the National Academy to see some of the under-19 and `A' team cricketers and I'm looking forward to it."

Boycott spoke about the importance of sharing one's experiences. "If I can help anybody, I'll gladly do it. That's how it should be. When I was a young boy all the experienced players in Yorkshire and England helped me. It's a cycle. It's now my turn to help youngsters," he said.

Describing the Indian team as a talented bunch, Boycott said, "I think they are capable of beating Australia and South Africa in the Test matches scheduled later this year. The Asia Cup is just one tournament. They also have a tournament in Holland and the Champions Trophy in England.

"Four Tests against Australia and two against South Africa follow. And I think they should look to win them all. One might not win everything in life; that never really happens. But your aim and ambition should be to win everything."

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