Sport - Cricket

Inconsistency frustrates the coach

By Vijay Lokapally

Coach John Wright and Ajay Ratra at the Indian team's first warm up session of its Caribbean tour at the Police Ground in Georgetown on Wednesday. -- Photo : V.V. Krishnan

GEORGETOWN April 3. John Wright has a tough task at hand. As tough as those in the middle, carrying out his instructions, and gearing up to take on a determined opposition which is not known to falter at home. West Indies may appear a weak side on surface but Wright knows that at home, it is quite capable of taking on any side in the world.

Throwing the ball in all directions and enjoying the sight of the Indians chasing, the affable Kiwi presents a picture of a man quite relaxed, quite sure of what is expected of him on this tour and also quite clear in his mind on how to go about the job. "Quite simple," he says. "Just go out and enjoy the game."

Simple is it not? Just go out and enjoy the match. This little step, positive and encouraging, could well transform the face of Indian cricket. And why not? Wright is of a firm belief that he has, at his command, a team, which can raise its game and beat any team in the world. "If we play as well as we can, we have a chance to win this series," he says on the immediate challenge ahead of the team.

Conceding the fact that any side is good at home, Wright did not rule out an Indian domination in the Caribbean in the next two months. "It's a big chance for us on this tour. We have to believe in ourselves. This belief is the big factor and the boys have come to understand it better in recent times."

Reflecting on the home series against Zimbabwe, the coach accepted that the Indian team played very poor cricket. "But we got some new faces from the series and that was a positive sign for the season," the coach said as he observed the players go through a rigorous drill, looking very impressed with the two left-arm seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. "We've come here with a strong squad and I'm sure Zaheer and Ashish will use this opportunity. Both look fitter and stronger," said Wright.

On paper, Wright also was well aware, the Indians presented a very different picture. But often the strengths, so visible on paper, seem to disappear once the team was in the pressure. "It has to change. The team looks so good on paper but somehow does not play to its potential. We have to tackle this issue. It is a concern no doubt but then I'm hoping this series would erase that impression," the coach noted. The Indian record overseas has remained dismal what with the team losing in Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and South Africa after having conquered the mighty Australians in an epic series at home.

This inconsistency is what has left Wright in an unhappy frame. ``Inconsistency has been the main reason for the shaky overseas record. This (inconsistency) is really frustrating because I know the boys are quite capable of doing well overseas. But then they have got to believe that they are capable of winning away from home. It's a very important factor. Another thing is that we should play as a team. We've quite a few brilliant players but they should play as a team. What is needed is a collective effort and I'm expecting an improved performance in this series."

Wright also spoke of the conditions, which, in his opinion, could matter a lot. "Conditions here are different from those in Australia and South Africa but should suit the Indians. The boys have looked far more relaxed coming here."

But the conditions at the Police ground, where the team practiced, were not quite pleasant. The three-day tour opener against Guyana is scheduled at the Everest ground close by but the venue was not ready after the Easter Monday celebrations that left the venue a big bowl of litter. "Let's hope we have good conditions for the three-day game. It's good we're playing a five-Test series because it keeps the confidence going and offers a chance to fight back," said Wright.

Looking ahead, Wright struck a note of caution. "We've to wait and see what sort of pitches we get for the Test matches. We have to see what do they do with their pitches." In recent years, the pitches in the West Indies have lost their character and have become low and slow, a far cry from the days when the home bowlers had the visiting batsmen hopping around the crease. But the indications from West Indian skipper Carl Hooper had suggested the home team might well fall back on its seamers.

What then is Wright' mantra for this series? A smile lights up his face as he says, "enjoy the tour and concentrate on the game. We've come to play good cricket." It may not actually be a mantra but Wright is on target when he wants the players to enjoy the tour. Competition in the Caribbean offers challenges in different forms and success here would give a huge fillip to the image of Indian cricket, which has taken a beating in the recent years.

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