Simmo 8212; Teaming with the enemy

Simpson, a former Australian Test captain, played a crucial role in shaping Australia8217;s rise to the summit in the 1987 World Cup and remains a consultant to the Australian Cricket Board.

But now, after embarking on a career as a professional freelance coach, he is also a technical consultant to the Indian team.

Friday8217;s game will be the first time Simpson will be sitting in the opposite corner against his countrymen, a prospect that has loomed ever since he accepted the Indian job.

8220;I8217;m very much an Aussie, and I don8217;t think I have to prove my loyalty to anyone after 40 years of service to Australian cricket,8221; Simpson told reporters.

8220;As a professionalcoach, I am committed to see that India does well in this World Cup and that goes for Friday8217;s game too,8221; said Simpson, who still undertakes coaching assignments with various state teams in Australia under his ACB contract.

8220;Things have changed8230;I8217;m no longer the Australian team8217;s coach and like to spread my knowledge a little wider. There are ideas I can pass on to others8230;I8217;ve become more internationalist during the last phase of my coaching.8221;

Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin considered Simpson8217;s in-depth knowledge of Australian players was a boon for his side, but Waugh underplayed its significance.

8220;It doesn8217;t worry me that Simmo8217;s in the other camp,8221; Waugh said. 8220;He knows us pretty well, but that8217;s not going to stop us playing well. He did great things for Australian cricket but it doesn8217;t make too much of a difference that he8217;s in the other camp. I guess he8217;s entitled to do what he thinks is fair.8221;

Simpson played down the importance of knowing the Australian players inside out andbeing in a position to provide insights to the Indians.

8220;There are 80 million television sets in the world and the inside information I have is there for anyone to see,8221; Simpson said. 8220;I think it can be over-emphasised because we see so much of each other these days.8221;

Azharuddin said his team8217;s confidence had been bolstered since Simpson joined the coaching panel.

8220;Bob Simpson knows the Australian game plan very well. I hope he might give us some insight into it,8221; Azharuddin said. 8220;He has passed on his knowledge of various things and his presence has given us more confidence.8221;