So much talk about the coach and people ask about World Series Cricket. We did not have a coach and here’s an example of how it worked.
In Jamaica Jeff Thomson was out of his ACB contract and signed with WSC and we also had Dennis Lillee. With both in action I thought I could sit on my butt and take it easy and enjoy the West Indies
Ian Chappell had other ideas and he fronted me at the bar in company of Jeff & Dennis and said “why are you hiding behind these two”
I gave a long winded response that made no sense and Ian direct question changed my attitude and what an attack we had.
Lillee to open the bowling for 6 overs, Thomson up breeze for 4, then me for 6 from Thomo’s end. Thomo to replace Lillee for 4 overs then I would come on after Thomo. We had a blitz from down breeze.
We won that game against a full strength West Indies.
The captain needs to read his players and doesn’t want passengers or mentally soft players.
I’m sorry, the only coaches I listened to were Bob Simpson and Alan Davidson.
“Get that front arm up, hold it for a second and release”
Later Bill O’Reilly
“Hit the keepers gloves as hard as you can at off stumps seam up”
I’ve coached at all levels and learned that it’s important to give of yourself and instil confidence to the player
Mark and Steve Waugh for example, I told their mum that they knew more than I did and should go and play grade cricket, they were only 14.
Justin Langer’s coaching decision may involve financial considerations and spreading resources in the future but what I really want to know is:
What is a high performance department?
What do they do?
Why do we need, bowling coach, batting coach, fielding coach and all the hanger onners.
My coach was my eyes and ears, see what you want to see, hear what I want to hear.
I’m more careful on what I should not say and what I do say is understood.
When I coached NSW I was paid $16k and I had to find an assistant. Steve Rixon bumped it up over $40k when he took over
Finally when I meet with Greg Dyer after he became NSW Captain, I wonder how I was going to contribute. Greg had a number of degrees. He’s doing a great job as the President of the Australian Cricketers Association and is also CEO of the Sydney Fish M and previously the boss of Parramatta Council.
I remember asking what he wanted for me as coach and so my recommendation to the board was for me to stand down.
Cricket does not owe anyone a living!
It’s an invitation to represent our country, never forget that
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