Pandya’s laziness, arrogance hurt India in Centurion Test
Pandya’s run out showed that ignoring the basics can bite at an inopportune time
On the ride home Martin asked me what I thought about the decision and I replied; “It’s the law, you don’t stop the ball with your hand when batting.”
“Good,” replied Martin, “I don’t ever expect to see you given out that way.”
In all my years of playing cricket, at every level, I never -never ever -- touched the ball when I was batting. Never mind the laws of the game or the pretentious Spirit of Cricket doctrine; I didn’t want the wrath of Martin coming down on my head.
It’s like being Mankaded; if you back up properly it won’t happen. If you don’t touch the cricket ball when batting you won’t be out obstructing the field.
Recently I read an interview with former Indian, South African and now Hobart Hurricanes coach, Gary Kirsten. He talked about the role of the coach in cricket. “If you look at the coach or manager in other sports they play a fairly significant role,” he added, “I think cricket’s moving in that direction, in T20 cricket.”
My concern with the proliferation of coaches at all levels is that cricketers will grow up relying on their advice at the expense of selfeducation. The best advice I received from my coach came at seven years of age; “It doesn’t matter how good I am as coach,” Mr Fuller told me, “I can’t help when you’re out in the middle. The quicker you learn for yourself, the better off you’ll be.”
Which leads to another point. With the proliferation of coaches, is there too much emphasis placed on physical preparation rather than spending time on the mental side of the game?
Shane Warne once bemoaned being subjected to endless fielding drills prior to a day’s play. “All I need,” groaned Warne, “is to bowl a few balls in the nets, go back to the dressing room, have a shower, then enjoy a cup of tea and think about the batsmen I’ll be facing today.”
Pure common sense from Warne. Commonsense, like basic principles, is to be ignored at your peril in the game of cricket.