Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The cricket caravan has rolled into Antigua, the land of Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson and Curtly Ambrose. And Team India yesterday checked into a hotel called the Jolly Beach. Of course, the one-day series is gone and there8217;s nothing really to be jolly about, but nobody8217;s crying either. Rather, on the day before the pre-Test game against an Antigua XI, Team India got down to plotting a comeback.
At an hour-long team meeting, the seniors spoke 8212; Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag 8212; on hitting the right length against the West Indies batsmen and the need to firm up the batting from No.7 to No.11. The consensus, apparently, was on pitching the ball up now, force them to drive; the batsmen were told to keep the strike rolling.
And that8217;s good, said Dr Rudi Webster, the renowned sports psychologist who is with the team for a short stint. On Tuesday, before the practice game, Dr Webster said that the immediate focus would be on switching from the one-day format to Test cricket 8212; mentally. It8217;s a question, he said, of stretching the adrenalin over five days. 8220;Patience,8221; said Dr Webster, 8220;is really the key now8221; for the four-Test series starting on Friday at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
Bowlers lacklustre: Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers did not look in particular good form against the Antigua XI on the opening day of the two-day match here on Tuesday. The locals were 74/1 in 25 overs with Munaf Patel reaping the lone sucess. Opener Daniel Thomas was batting on 30 3215;4 and captain Sylvester Joseph on 20 2215;4 at the lunch.
