145;We don146;t condone sledging146;

Sustaining performance over a long tour is difficult for any team. While it is the job of the coach with captain to 8216;feel8217; the team environment, it requires each member to play a role. It is important though that sufficient time is given to 8216;getting away8217; from cricket to keep mind and body and interpersonal relationships as fresh as possible.

8226; The Indian team lost both the finals 8212; World Cup and VB series 8212; to Australia. But did you notice any improvement in the team8217;s performance at the VB series?

It is important for the Indian team and Indian supporters to realise that they contested both finals after having played very well through each tournament. I have had the same discussion with many football coaches in Australia 8212; that is, 8216;8216;we do not seem to play well when we reach the finals: why?8217;8217; For me the answer seems to always reside in, 8216;8216;has their approach differed from lead-up games to finals?8217;8217; The answer is generally, 8216;8216;YES!8217;8217; I believe such an answer, if given honestly, provides the basis for any team to move forward.

8226; It8217;s evident that despite winning, the Aussie team is on the decline. In a year, the core of the side would have retired. What happens then to Australian cricket?

I am not sure how you base your claims of decline. My figures in ODI and Tests show that over the last four years our winning trends have at worst plateaued and are possibly still increasing. The rate of increase is due to the fact that we are now winning at between 75-80 per cent of matches, so that draws, weather preventing results 8212; all mean that we will lose some games. We are not invincible! Regardless of these winning percentages, I see one of my key tasks is to look into the future and establish a pathway for continued success which includes among many elements, player succession planning.

8226; It is now accepted that India is the second best test/ODI team. How should it change/ work to move to the top?

India is improving as an ODI team. It now requires consistency of management, i.e. selection, coaching, training methodologies and internal culture.

8226; How do you rate Saurav as a skipper and as a player?

Sourav is an astute captain. He, along with John Wright, has instilled a different attitude and approach to the Indian team for which Indian cricket will benefit long after he finishes playing.

8226; As a coach, you are renowned for picking out weaknesses in cricketers. What8217;s the best way to stem the flow of runs when Gilchrist, Hayden, Ponting, Symonds are at full steam?

As a coach, one of the first laws to giving your team the best chance of being successful is not to divulge key information about your own players!

8226; Is it morally correct of the Australian team to continue sledging?

The topic of sledging is always difficult to answer as every nation8217;s culture, which is the basis of each cricketing team8217;s values and ethics, differs. As a consequence, 8216;8216;the spirit of cricket8217;8217; has a different interpretation for each team. All Australian cricketers, coaches, administrators, umpires do not condone any verbal abuse of opposition 8212; this is our definition of sledging. That said, we are no different to any other sporting team which seeks to stay in front of its opposition, by looking at all means. These areas can be broadly defined as technical the skills base, physical athleticism and endurance, tactical strategy, analysis and innovation, mental skills application, and team culture of success.