Throughout this series one question has been posed consistently to either myself or John Wright at various times: How are you going to motivate this team or that player? Let me outline my views on motivation. My sincere and simple answer is, I am not a motivator. If a player, or players, or the team requires me to motivate them, then one of two things is happening: Either the player(s) or team lack clear direction or purpose at the time; Or, the coach has created a team environment which is not challenging, seeking to stretch individual and collective abilities. If it is the former, then I put extra time into player(s) or the team. For instance, when Stephen Waugh was dropped as Australian ODI captain, I spent as much time as he wanted to afford me, for me to listen to his feelings, his thoughts, his doubts, his anger, his frustrations. At the same time, I offered him my views and strategies on how to approach what he was going through. Likewise, Shane Warne after the World Cup episode, although our ability to have face-to-face discussions was impeded by distance — so email and mobile phone became the means by which we conversed. During this current series, certain players like Brett Lee and Damien Martyn have been put under the public microscope. Again, I’ve tried to be there if and when they want me. It’s essential to realise, though, as coach, you are not everybody’s first-choice ‘‘port of call’’. However, it’s important that you know each individual has a mentor/friend(s) inside or outside the team to whom they can turn. Once the coach has given the player(s) or team every possible chance to regain their motivation to perform and it is still not happening, then it is time for a player or players to go. At this point in time, I honestly believe I have more to contribute to the Australian cricket team, and so I look forward to the coming trip of Sri Lanka which will be another significant test of our changing team. I cannot speak for John Wright, and neither should I. However, some observations from our side of the fence would be: • The major player gains of the tour were Akash Chopra and Virender Sehwag as a possible Test pairing • India have three of the most formidable top order batsmen in the world now in Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar • And in Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, and to a lesser extent Lakshmipati Balaji, India have a well-balanced pace attack. The major team gain is the confidence the Test team gained from the 1-1 series. On the flip side, the Indian team’s shortcomings were the ineffectiveness of the middle-order batting, which may be strengthened by the inclusion of Mohammed Kaif; and the inability of Indian spinners to penetrate in Australia, though Anil Kumble was the rock as usual. Wright may also be worried that the ODI side lost confidence as the series progressed, no better example being the batting of Dravid, which one cannot help but believe is to do with him keeping. With respect to keeping, Parthiv Patel had a reasonable tour and we saw little of Deep Dasgupta. I imagine the Indian selectors will persevere with the punchy Patel and also include him in the ODI arena. Looking ahead to Pakistan, the Indian team must view the Test and ODI series with some confidence. Pakistan, under Javed Miandad and newly-appointed captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, are still rebuilding. As always, they are exciting, yet vulnerable. On the other hand, India has excitement mixed with experience. No matter what the field of endeavour or indeed life, it is always hard to beat experience, at least over a period of time. As we prepare to leave for Sri Lanka, there is one man who has captured everyone’s attention again — Shane Warne. He’s back, looking leaner than I have seen him. He has spent an unenviable time away from the game but appears ready for whatever comes his way. There is little doubt the national selectors are monitoring every day of Shane’s return and the Test team for Sri Lanka allows them enough time to assess his suitability to tour. Whatever their decision, it is certain to cause much media comment worldwide. Finally, as this is my last article for a little while, I should like to thank you, the readers, for spending some time perusing the columns. Hopefully I have been able to give you some insights or some knowledge that you did not have before. (Gameplan)
