'There Was Suspicion And Doubt'

Indian cricketers viewed him with understandable"suspicion and doubt" since he was their first foreign coach, says NewZealander John Wright.

Wright, whose book Indian Summers has stirred up acontroversy in cricketing circles, says he adopted a positive approach to dealwith such suspicions and doubts.

"My interaction with them (players) was positive.When there was suspicion and doubt, it was understandable since I was the firstforeign coach ever to be a part of the team," he told PTI in a telephonicinterview.

"They were all performers for their country, proudwarriors who viewed with trepidation if a foreigner would be good enough fortheir team. It would be the same if some foreigner was to coach any other teamin world cricket."

The former New Zealand captain says despite his fondassociation with the Indian cricket team, he could not think of taking up thejob again.

"For me this break was very important. My kids arenow 14 and 12 and it's good to be back to them. I do look forward to visitingIndia soon, there are many things I miss and my great affection is reflected onanyone who has read the book in entirety. But to be coach of India again is farremoved from my thoughts."

The genial New Zealander is taken aback by the controversy that hisjust-published book has generated in India and urges fans to read the book inentirety before forming an opinion.

"One must read the book where I feel my affectionand warmth for India has come through. There are a lot of things in India whichI miss."

Wright has kind words for his successor Greg Chappellwho chose to deride the New Zealander's role in the Indian dressing room in hisinfamous leaked e-mail.

"I think the team has made good progress,especially in the one-day arena. You just need to be patient with Greg who is a goodman," remarks Wright who is presently on a promotional tour of hisautobiography.

Wright also shows no cynicism towards Sourav Gangulywho chose to fly to Australia and seek Chappell's tutorials even when he heldthe reins of the team as coach.

"I had no problem with Sourav flying over toAustralia ahead of the tour Down Under. He did take me into confidence and Iactually welcomed it. It showed the player had shown initiative. Sourav hadshown a desire to improve and be ready for the Australian challenge. The proofof the pudding is in eating and his hundred in Gabba (Brisbane) meant it wasworth it."

Wright says he was extremely impressed with the current crop of youngsters whoare making a space for themselves in the Indian dressing room.

"I am extremely impressed with the likes of MunafPatel, Sreesanth and RP Singh. I would have loved to work with them, see themgrow. I thought the team was absolutely marvellous in securing that victory inthe final Test in the Caribbean recently."

The New Zealander approves of India's attempt to widenits players' base, especially in the bowling arena, and believes it is the bestway possible to prevent burnouts.

"I wouldn't say there is excessive cricket beingplayed in international fields these days. It is all about managing yourresources, expanding your pool. Once you can widen your base, the cricketerswouldn't suffer from overload or injuries."

A perceptive Wright has not missed out on the fact thatIndia have not produced a quality spinner for a while but believes suchemergence of quality slow cricketers happen in a cycle.

"If you look around the world, quality spinnersare not exactly appearing in bunches in Australia or South Africa; New Zealandor England. In that respect India is no exception. I believe quality spinnersemerge out of nowhere and that would happen with India too. Quality spinnerscome in cycles."

The New Zealander feels there is no dearth ofinspiration for youngsters with quality spinners like Harbhajan Singh and AnilKumble who, between them, have picked up nearly 800 Test scalps, being around.

Wright is effusive in his praise for Kumble who wentthrough a revival in his career on that historic tour of Australia in 2003-2004.

Kumble just about earned the selectors' nod and boardedthe plane to Australia with the knowledge that his previous visit Down Under hadyielded only five wickets at 90 runs apiece and that his record on foreignpitches was abysmal.

Yet, Kumble underwent a dramatic makeover, snaring 24victims in three Tests, and revived his career to the extent that he has pickedup 151 further wickets in just 28 more Tests.

"Kumble was coming through after a seriousshoulder operation and hence was doubly determined. That's been the hallmark ofhis career.

"He worked very hard physically and usually suchefforts also make you mentally strong. He was very persistent and determined.It's one of the good things about great Indian cricketers that they know theirgame well and think hard about improving further. Kumble is one of the shiningexamples."

Wright has noticed the current trend among Indiancricketers to align themselves with county teams in English summer and does notdiscourage it though he would rather have players not do it at the cost ofmissing domestic engagements.

"County cricket can be a great place forcricketers to hone their skills, especially batters for whom it is a greateducation to bat in different conditions. However, they must make sure that theyare not missing out on domestic cricket."

PTI