Another Australian has joined the race to be the next Indian cricket coach: Dean Jones finally threw his hat in the ring last week, joining compatriots Dav Whatmore, Tom Moody and Greg Chappell in the list of candidates for the post. Indeed, the money-making machine that is the BCCI seems to have missed a trick here; had it sought earnest money from all those interested, it might have compensated for lost TV revenues. As far as Jones is concerned, he’s looking at repaying a debt. ‘‘India put me on the world stage thanks to the tied Test (Madras 1986) and the 1987 World Cup’’, Jones told The Indian Express from Melbourne. ‘‘I have been to India 58 times and enjoy the country and the public. So my hand is up, I am interested.’’ Jones has sent his CV to the BCCI’s Kolkata office and has spoken to a couple of the players. How does he assess his chances? ‘‘I don’t know as yet, it also depends on the selection committee (to vet the coaches) that is formed.’’ What should the BCCI look for in a prospective coach? Somebody who can motivate the players and get the best out of them. ‘‘They are quite an experienced bunch now. So in a sense there is not much of problem, it is just that they are constantly under pressure. John Wright has done a great job, but I would like to see a few changes.’’ And they are? ‘‘I don’t want to see them pussyfooting at any stage. I’d like to see a change in the way they prepare, especially when they play Australia, and the target has to be the World Cup.’’ Indian cricket is at an interesting stage, he said, but needs to go to the next level. ‘‘The batsmen should not be happy with a 50 plus average, they need to take that to the 60-plus bracket.’’ The team needs to play more coherently as a unit. ‘‘For that you need harder training and lot of work on fitness. Preparation and team planning is the key and since I know most of the players, that will help. As a commentator no one has seen as many games as I have.’’ One pointed remark gave away another possible task for the next coach: ‘‘I am not the kind who would be in awe while speaking to a Sourav Ganguly or a Rahul Dravid’’, he said. Jones comes with two handicaps. One is that he does not possess a sound coaching background. The other, more serious, is his alleged role in the match-fixing imbroglio. That could set him back in the race but Jones himself claims he is innocent and has already been exonerated. ‘‘I haven’t ever been told anything by the ICC. And if ever anyone needs to, they can come and check my books.’’ THE DEAN’S THEORY • Anil Kumble: Now on 460, Anil should target 650 Test wickets, not 500 • Sachin Tendulkar: The master already has some 70 odd international centuries, he should look at making it 100 • Sourav Ganguly: I would like him to see him take on more players • Rahul Dravid: I don’t want him to be known as The Wall, I just don’t like that nickname. I’d love him to be regarded by opponents as the man to get out for a win • Irfan Pathan: He should set a goal ten years from now, so that he plays with a mission in mind RELATAD STORY
