Now a successful talent spotter

THE STRIKING feature in Rodney Marsh is the intensity of his eyes. They are still sharp, still able to pounce on the smallest of details in a flash.

The eyes that enabled him become the most accomplished wicket- keeper batsman of his time, have now seen him emerge a highly successful talent spotter.

The Australian great was in Chennai during a flash visit in connection with the National Cricket Academy to be set up in Bangalore, and it presented an ideal opportunity to catch up with one of the game's most enduring icons.

Marsh's assistance was sought by the BCCI, keeping in mind his rather formidable reputation as the Head Coach of the Australian Cricket Academy. The Aussie was only too willing to chip in with his bit. But he was also quick to warn against over-expectations.

``It would be wrong to assume that today we have the Academy and tomorrow we could be the world champions. It doesn't work like that. There is a lot of hard work involved by everyone concerned and the results might not be immediate. But if things work out well then anything is possible. Actually, Indian cricket is regretting the fact that such an Academy was not started 10 years ago. There is a passion for the game in this part of the world and finding talent should not be a problem. It's how you groom them that matters. My job is to provide inputs in getting the Academy up and running. That is the first step really.''

He also ruled out the possibility of accepting a role that would require him to stay in Bangalore on a permanent basis. ``I think you have enough men in the country who have played the game at a good level to do the job. And at this stage of my life, I do not think I could stay away from my family for long periods. It would not be fair on them. But I could definitely come here from time to time.''

According to him, the boys at the camp would really have to work on their fielding. They would also have to practice on different pitches, preparing them for tougher battles on bouncy wickets.

And an NCA team should tour abroad every year, an exercise that would help young cricketers cope with the stiffer challenges when they become international players. The Australian Cricket Academy had benefited much from such trips. Apart from honing the players' cricketing skills, the emphasis is on making them mentally strong as well.

Indeed, the ACA has had a big role to play in the depth Australia currently possesses in its cricket. Marsh cannot hide a smile when reminded of this fact. ``Actually it's in the charter of our Academy. We have always striven for such depth in order to make the selectors' job harder for only eleven can play! This is the strength of Australian cricket. It is a nice situation to be in really. Damien Martyn has made runs in Tests against New Zealand, yet he cannot be sure of a slot when Ponting returns. Michael Slater has to fight for a place in the one-day team. And when Jason Gillespie comes back, the pace attack will be even stronger. Australia has been able to find fine replacements. Ian Healy leaves the scene and we have Adam Gilchrist. But one has to work even harder when the going is good.''

Marsh observes he would rather prefer the ACA team to lose by a close margin than win comfortably. As he says, ``while you learn the game, there is so much to be imbibed from a defeat. It teaches you a lot of things and ultimately makes you a tougher cricketer. Playing is not the parameter, learning is. That is why an ACA side often tours the sub- continent.''

And he's all for the blooding of youngsters. ``If a series is already won then I don't see why even an established player cannot be left out. If the youngster does well, it will add more to the depth. The new blood will not allow complacency to creep in among the seniors.''

Marsh regards Ricky Ponting as the most talented cricketer he has had a chance to work with. Ponting was just 16 when he came to the Academy and as Marsh says, ``he had great natural talent and flair for the game.''

But what about Ponting's problems on the disciplinary front despite all his cricketing ability? Marsh is candid in his reply. ``Boys will be boys. Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them. I hope Ponting has learnt from them. I too made mistakes as I grew up. We must strive not to repeat them. One thing we aim for at the ACA is that even if the players do not make it big in the cricketing arena, they develop into good human beings.''

Another cricketer Marsh remembers fondly at the ACA is Justin Langer. Marsh believes that Langer's intensity actually worked against him early on when he could not really capitalise on his chances. ``He was so keen to succeed, and just couldn't accept the fact that he could fail. His ability was never in question.'' In such instances, imploring the player to stay positive is the key. Sports psychology obviously plays a role here.

Glenn McGrath, a skinny lad from the New South Wales countryside, came to the Academy very late in his teens, but his work ethic was so good that the fast bowler moved on to much bigger things rather quickly.

And what about Brett Lee, the latest pace sensation.``Anybody who takes the ball away from the right-hander at that pace is bound to be among the wickets.'' He is convinced that Lee's action is clean and adds if a player were to be called for `chucking', it should be done early in his career and not when he is an established Test cricketer as it happened in the case of Muttiah Muralitharan.

Here, Marsh has an interesting point to make. ``I consider Jeff Thomson to have one of the purest actions you can imagine. But I will show you one particular photograph, where he is seen with a bent arm. Things can look different from certain angles.''

This is also something Marsh feels a bowler can always work on. ``The great Dennis Lillee's action was all over the place when he started. He suffered injuries in the process, but he worked very hard and returned a different bowler.''

He doesn't subscribe to the theory that pacemen who deliver from a side-on position are more likely to have batsmen caught in the slip cordon or by the 'keeper. ``How much do you need to move the ball to find the bat's edge. Not more than 4 inches. That's all you need.''

Marsh was an integral part of a great Aussie team in the 70s under the indomitable Ian Chappell. How would he compare his side with the Australians under Steve Waugh? ``All I would say is that if we had met them, we would not have gone down without a fight.''

On Steve Waugh. ``An intense competitor. Not the most elegant of players, he's however a great student of the game. Ian Chappell was a better player of spin, but Steve is more ruthless at the crease.''

Marsh is delighted at the triumphs of the current Australian side but warns against over-confidence. ``It's harder to stay at the top. All the teams will be gunning for Australia. It is the side to beat now. The real test for Steve Waugh and his men will be in the coming days.''

To the surprise of many, Marsh did not find a place in the Australian Millennium Eleven, with Ian Healy beating him to the wicket- keeper batsman's spot. Marsh's response is typical of the man. ``I did not spend sleepless nights over it. My congratulations to Ian.''

Among the memories of his playing days, Marsh cherishes keeping wickets to Lillee the most. `Caught Marsh b Lillee' became a legend and one can spot a glint in his eyes, when this is mentioned. ``He was a great bowler and it was a privilege keeping wickets to him. Just as Healy would have enjoyed combining with Shane Warne.''

And like his old mate Lillee, he too is involved with the MRF Pace Foundation as part of an agreement MRF has with the ACA. ``I think it will be of immense help to both the sides. The ACA teams come here, and MRF's T.A. Sekar goes to the ACA every now and then. It's wonderful.''

The legendary Don Bradman said years back that those who play the game were merely its custodians, and that the game was greater than the individuals. This has been the cornerstone of Marsh's career both as a player and a coach.

In the Centenary Test of 1977 between Australia and England at the MCG, with the latter closing in on an improbable victory, Marsh called Derek Randall back, after the umpire had ruled the batsman out.

Marsh had taken the ball on the bounce and his conscience would not let him claim a catch. Maybe, he remembered Sir Don's immortal words. How one wishes some others do as well.

S. DINAKAR

Chennai

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : The accent looks to be on quantity rather than
           quality
Next     : Football is groping in the dark, and the AIFF
           couldn't care less