Lillee & Co. make 'telling' impact

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, JUNE 16. ``Had I known all these things earlier, I would have taken several more wickets,'' confided former Sri Lankan paceman Rumesh Ratnayake. He was referring to the Coaches Seminar organised by the MRF Pace foundation at the MRF House here on Friday.

A host of coaches from all over the country, including several former international cricketers, listened to Aussie legend Dennis Lillee and other experts on the first day of the two-day seminar.

Describing fast bowling as ``a bloody hard job,'' Lillee dwelt on its various aspects like technique, pitches, fitness and attitude. ``Perfect practice makes perfect,'' he said.

Then Mr. Richard Done, Head Coach, Cricket, Queensland Academy of Sports, spoke on Fitness Planning where he attempted to strike a balance between skill and fitness. Training during off-season was the key to improvement, he said.

Talking about the pace sensation Brett Lee, he revealed that the youngster could have avoided the stress fractures early on in his career, had he come under the fitness programming sooner.

Dr. Sandy Gordon, Sports Psychologist with the Australian Cricket Board, observed that the mental fortitude was a byproduct of the physical strength. In the same breath, he added that the Indian cricketers were found wanting in this aspect.

According to him, Australian captain Steve Waugh would score the highest marks for mental toughness. He also spoke on goal-setting and the ``staircase approach,'' where the cricketer improves step by step.

Boi-mechanics Research Officer at the ACB Mr. Marc Portus focussed on the side-on and the front-on actions, and described the harmful results of a `mixed approach.' There was a link between the counter rotation of the shoulder and the stress fracture of the lower back, he said. Body balance at the point of delivery was the key.

Dr. Anant Joshi, who has worked with several Indian cricketers, and Mr. Max Pfitzner, physio with the Australian Cricket Academy, discussed injury prevention and sports medicine.

Dr. Joshi noted that the Indians were no longer as flexible as they once were, thanks to television and computers. ``Lifestyles have changed. We have become much stiffer.'' Mr. Pfitzner said things like proper footwear went a long away in avoiding injuries.

The welcome address was read by former Indian Test cricketer Mr. W.V. Raman. There was a multi-media presentation by the speakers.

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