(Courtesy:AFP & Cricinfo)
Less than 4 days. India will take on Srilanka and it will be the first assignment for Greg Chappell.
As usual, out of nowhere, I saw a book written by none other than Greg Chappell, himself "Cricket:The Making of Champions"(2004) - A revolutionary approach to learning, playing and coaching in the 21st Century.
The book didn't disappoint me. Just 5 chapters to differentiate what 'extra things' separate an ordinary player and the likes of 'Sachin Tendulkar'. He has observed few (23 players from last 50 years!) great cricketers (Donald Bradman, Sunil Gavaskar, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Muttiah Muralitharan, Graeme Pollock, Vivian Richards, Garfield Sobers, Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, Waugh brothers and some more!) and listed out their characteristics! They have created a website www.chappellway.com and posted their observations and got feedback from many experts to list out a strategy for 21st century cricket coaching. Here's a summary:
1.The core principles of movement: The way our bodies move effectively and efficiently while retaining perfect timing and balance. Ex. How balanced sachin stands, while waiting to hit the ball. Or how Mark waugh 'unweights' himself just 'before the delivery' at the slips!
2. How the brain works: How we learn, how our brain deciphers scenarios (conscious and sub-conscious). Ex. Shewag's shot selection is intuition-based. "There is no right way or wrong way of doing it. If we try to play a cover drive, we will all do it differently because each human being is different — both physiologically and mentally. He thinks differently that is why he is able to do things differently than a Tendulkar or a Dravid." - Greg Chappell
3. The learning environment: Creative learning and training situations which allow players to develop and hone their skills and temperament. Ex. Simulated match situations.
4. Organising yourself to success: Maintaining fitness, situational awareness and good tactics. Ex. How to build and support partnerships, Running between wickets.
5. Leadership: Skills required for an effective team member, a good captain and an outstanding coach or administrator. Ex. How to help other members who are undergoing difficult situations, Handling pressure situations and Importance of a Vice-captain!
Mmm..We are watching, Greg!
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