da betcris： South African great, Barry Richards, speaking after a two week coachingstint, believes that Sri Lanka have got what it takes to win the 2003 WorldCup
Rex Fernando08-Oct-2001South African great, Barry Richards, speaking after a two week coachingstint, believes that Sri Lanka have got what it takes to win the 2003 WorldCup.This was Richard’s second visit to Sri Lanka as the expert batting coach.His first was in 1998 before Sri Lanka’s visit to South Africa.Richard’s, one of the best batsman to have graced the game, spokeexclusively with CricInfo, discussing various issues, ranging from thetechnique of the Sri Lankan batsmen, to the challenges that lie ahead.Here are the excerpts of that interview.Barry RichardsQ: How do you feel at the end of your second visit to Sri Lanka as theexpert batting coach?A: Well, you say the second time, but on the previous occasion I wasinvolved whilst I was commentating and I couldn’t dedicate my full attentionto the side. On this occasion I was with the team all the time and I reallyenjoyed it. Basically, I touched on the technique of the players and wasalso discussing about some of the mental aspects of the game. They havelearnt from this and hopefully they’ll improve.Q. When you say you were discussing about the technique of the players couldyou elaborate on what particular aspects you touched?A. Each individual player has a few things that he has to get right. Forsome it’s the foot movement, with some of the players it’s the handwork, forothers it’s the grip of the bat. The players are international cricketersand they just need a little bit of fine-tuning.Q. Would you like to point them out?A. I have chatted with every individual about the things they tend toneglect. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to discuss the specifics. It’s aconfidential thing between them and the coaching team. If that informationis put into the public arena then others can do the planning.Q. After the World Cup in England do you see any improvement in the SriLankan side?A. After 1999 they have become more battle hardened. They don’t back away.Their fielding has improved, but still we have to work on a few areas.Fitness is looking good as well. Now that few fast bowlers are coming up,they are a force to be reckoned with.Q. Why do you think the Sri Lankan team has failed to deliver the goods inthe South African and Australian conditions?A. When the team goes to these countries they come across fast bowlers whohave the ability to bowl in the area of 130-140 kmph. They have to come upto a level where their batsmen are able to play that kind of fast bowling.You also have to look hard at your game plan – you cannot go too hard at thebeginning. If you do that you’ll end up losing early wickets. Planning hasto be a bit different in those conditions. They got to develop a fewallrounders as well. Two things that I am slightly disappointed are aboutthe use of slower balls and yorkers. They have not worked on this, but theyneed to if they are going to come good in those conditions.Q. Having realised some of these problems the Sri Lankan board has showninterest in preparing fast wickets. How do you look at that?A. That’s a step in the right direction. Preparing wickets with some grasswill help, especially with a few fast bowlers like Dilhara Fernando around.The bouncy tracks will surely help them to adapt better to South Africanconditions. It’s an important step in the development of their cricket. Ifthey continue to do that then Sri Lanka will be the first Asian country todo well in hard and fast wickets.Q. Who do you think is the best Sri Lankan batsmen?A. Marvan (Atapattu) is the best technician and Sanath (Jayasuriya) isdevastating with his short arm jabs and pull. Mahela (Jayawardene) is thebest all round the wicket. They’ve got a good blend of everything to makethem a good cricket team. In my mind Mahela is the best young batsman in theworld without a shadow of a doubt. He’s only 24 and has got a good ten yearsof international cricket ahead of him. He will be a real force to reckonwith.Q. What are Sri Lanka’s chances in the World Cup?A. I think four teams are capable of playing the devastating cricketnecessary to win the World Cup and the Sri Lankans are one of them. When youare talking about the 2003 World Cup it needs good planning, commitment fromthe team and lot of team spirit. With a bit of luck they can win. Theirfielding has to improve by five percent. If you compare Sri Lanka with thebest fielding sides like Australia and South Africa, they are slightlybehind them. They have also got to improve on the running between thewickets.Sri Lankan Players listning to Barry RichardsQ. You also worked with the Sri Lankan A side during your short stay, do youthink the youngsters in the A team have got the ability to replace theseniors?A. I was a bit disappointed with the quality in the A team, especially inthe bowling department. A lot of work has to be done with the seam bowlers.They were disappointing. Generally the gap is too big between A team and thenational team.Sri Lanka’s route to World Cup glory:Have a game planThe players must be committed.Be more wary in first 15 overs.Set yourself lower targets (ie. 230-250 rather than 250-275)Team must be flexible (ie. plan in first 15 overs, batting order etc.)More pace bowlersHard work on running between wickets and fieldingDon’t hit too hard – use the pace of the ballRealise that you will play and miss more than in sub-continentForget the last delivery – play each ball on its meritsBe mentally strong – kept concentration throughoutUse your body language