He cautioned India that having a team director along with coaching staff could create confusion
Troy Cooley
CHENNAI: Former England bowling coach Troy Cooley cautioned India that having a team director along with coaching staff could create confusion in the ranks. Head coach Duncan Fletcher bade farewell to the Indian team at the end of the 2015 World Cup and the BCCI is yet to name his successor. Ravi Shastri has been asked to continue as director.
Cooley said the people who travel with the team should have their roles clearly defined. “I think a good relationship between coach and captain is a necessity for all teams. You don’t want your captain to talk to 10 people before taking a call. He should just talk to one and set the direction. They can take advice from everywhere, but when it comes to decision making, the final call should be taken by the coach and captain,” said Cooley, head coach of Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Council.
Cooley is currently at MRF Pace Foundation in the city with a bunch of rookies from Australia. “It’s good to have your former players coming in and taking charge of the team. I believe Ravi is just going to do what Fletcher was doing. You need a strong leader to manage sides, especially a team like India,” added the former Aussie first-class cricketer.
The 49-year-old welcomed the move to appoint Rahul Dravid as the coach of the India A and U-19 sides. “It’s exciting to see him at the helm of junior teams. He is a good people’s person. I have coached against Rahul and he comes across as someone who listens and has got empathy for the players. He seems eager to help players get better,” said Cooley.
Aussie bowling legend Glenn McGrath said India should approach the Bangladesh series with all seriousness. “The Indians must have prepared themselves for the single Test and they need to execute their plans,” said McGrath.
Asked to differentiate the role between a team director and coach, McGrath said: “I do not know what Ravi is doing is different to what a team coach will do. I do not know what the job description is for Ravi.”
ICC’s cricket committee has come up with proposals to introduce one more fielder during powerplay in 50-over matches and allowing one more bouncer for T20s. McGrath said the proposed changes would make the game a level-playing field. “Probably if you have one more fielder when the powerplay is up, obviously then you can protect one portion of the field. Some batsmen look at the short ball as a scoring option. Again it depends on the bowler who should know the field he requires,” he added.
( Source : dc )
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