Before big test, backwater break for Chappell

Twenty days left for India8217;s first World Cup match, the hype building up to a crescendo...

Twenty days left for India8217;s first World Cup match, the hype building up to a crescendo, coach Greg Chappell last week decided to get away from it all8212;out of mobile range, far from the cameras, in a Kerala resort recommended by his young pace bowler Sreesanth.

It was an extremely 8220;private trip8221;, which even the local cops were not aware about, that wound up last evening, after three days with wife Judi on a houseboat in the backwaters of Alappuzha, where 8220;he relaxed and spent a quiet time away from the media8221;.

And the plan almost worked to perfection till the Chappells got the boat docked near Alappuzha city, and ventured out on a shopping trip in an autorickshaw. The rickshaw driver immediately realised who his passenger was, and alerted the local media, which rushed to a local garments shop to corner the Chappells.

But all requests for interviews were quickly brushed aside as the two rushed back to the houseboat before leaving the state this evening.

8220;The coach told me during the South Africa tour that he wanted to go to a place where he could just soak in the environment and get away from the headlines. That was when I recommended Kerala, my home state, and specifically the backwaters of Alappuzha,8221; said Sreesanth.

Sreesanth then recommended Kovilakam Resorts, run by a family, where his friend Kurien P John is part of the management. 8220;We first got an email from Chappell, and took it up from there, arranging stay for him in a houseboat on Punnamada lake, between Alappuzha and Kumarakom,8221; said John.

8220;When they finally arrived, I was a bit overawed because I know him as one of the all-time great cricketers. But we first hosted a dinner for him and I gradually got to know him better. He was relaxed and quite laidback,8221; said John.

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Anything about the World Cup, the team combination, India8217;s chances, the Irfan Pathan controversy? 8220;He just said it was a good break before the big event,8221; said John.