'John's Been A Hit'

After Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's praise of VirenderSehwag by describing the swashbuckling Indian opener as a modern-day Don Bradman,Sehwag got encomiums from top New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns.

"Sehwag is an amazing batsman. People talk mainlyabout his attacking batting forgetting that he has got a sound defensivetechnique too. Without a good defence, he could not have done what he hasachieved," Cairns said in Mumbai.

Cairns also praised compatriot John Wright for the wayhe handled the Indian squad as coach till his departure at the end of thehigh-profile series against Pakistan.

"The success or otherwise of a coach is determinedby what the players think about him. The Indian players have showered praise onJohn leaving him with a sweet taste in the mouth," said Cairns whose careerhas been plagued by injuries.

Asked to compare the captaincy styles of currentAustralian skipper Ricky Ponting and his predecessor Steve Waugh, Cairns broughtsmiles on the faces by saying "Even my mum can captain the Australian team."

"They are such a great team that it is notdifficult to captain the squad. I found no difference between the two (Pontingand Waugh as captains)," said the top all-rounder who has decided to quitinternational cricket after the 2007 World Cup in West Indies.

Cairns sympathised with Indian captain Saurav Gangulyfor the six-match ODI ban slapped on him due to the Indian team's slow over-rate atAhmedabad against Pakistan.

"My sympathies are with Saurav. It was a harshdecision, but that is what has been prescribed in the ICC code of conduct. Ihope he comes back soon," Cairns said.

About the series, Cairns said Pakistan, usually a bunchof talented individuals, displayed team spirit in abundance for which he praisedcoach Bob Woolmer.

"They played good cricket and I was impressed withRana Naved-ul Hasan. He is a very good bowler. The team culture (in the Pakistansquad) looks stronger now. They always had talented individuals, but now lookto be a cohesive bunch. Woolmer has brought them together," Cairns said.

He also described as erratic the statement by formerAustralian fast bowler Rodney Hogg that in the aftermath of the Aussies thumpingwin over New Zealand, Test cricket was no longer a sport because of hiscountry's continued dominance.

"It's a bit erratic like his bowling was. TheAustralians are arrogant. They are fortunate to be having two of the all-timegreat bowlers in the history of the game -- Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Whenthey were absent, the Australian team struggled against India (DownUnder)," he said.

PTI