Coach expresses Wright to win

The Indians may have booked their berth in the tri-series finals but they would still go into the remaining two dead league matches with the...

The Indians may have booked their berth in the tri-series finals but they would still go into the remaining two dead league matches with the determination to keep their intensity going. Coach John Wright emphasised here today it was not enough that his side was in the finals saying it was of paramount importance that the side goes into the field with an attitude to win irrespective of the status of the game.

India and Australia have already booked their berths in the best-of-three finals beginning with the first in Melbourne on February 6. “We have talked about that and boys are determined — they are hungry to take the title home,” said the coach as India take on Australia in a league match here on Sunday.

“But the finals are a long way off — we are concentrating on the next game in two days’ time,” said Wright. “It would be a nice way to leave the shores (with a title win). We have tried to have that belief right through the series that we are here to win matches, we have not just come here to compete. What we try is to achieve our game plan and play to our goals. Then the results would take care of itself.”

But Anil Kumble might not be fit in time to take part in the finals. Team physio Andrew Leipus, in his medical jargon, underplayed the extent of concern on Kumble’s fitness but manager Shivlal Yadav did not think the leg-spinner should be risked in the finals. “He needs rest and it is unlikely we would risk him in the finals in view of India’s coming engagements,” said Yadav.

-PTI

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