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VIEWPOINT: CRICKET TALK
A Worthy Battle
After an epic showdown, the "Goddess of Victory"
acquires a new home
By John Buchanan
 I
encountered the phenomenon of Bollywood when we began the tour in Mumbai.
I am more accustomed to the various dramas that are produced from the
studios of American and British moviemakers, but scriptwriters neither
in Hollywood or Bollywood could have put together a more enthralling drama
than that which occurred over the course of the past four weeks and finally
culminated at the Chepauk in Chennai.
The story features two heroic tribes-one from
the "local" region (India) and one that has come to the region
(Australia)-both in pursuit of the same love, the "Goddess of Victory"
and all the acclaim and attributes which ensue (the Border-Gavaskar trophy).
The scene was set for a final, epic showdown between the two rival tribes.
As a mentor and a "witch doctor" of the visiting tribe, I am
able to look inside and provide some insight to the final act of this
incredible drama. Having travelled from Kolkata with some egos and reputations
dented from a reversal of fortunes, the two days prior to the beginning
of the joust were spent replenishing the mental strength of the tribe.
Each tribe member has a different way of dealing with the past and moving
into the present to ready themselves for the future. Matthew Hayden, for
instance, was affected by a virus in Kolkata, and, in fact, did not put
a bat in his hand till the first morning of the joust between the two
tribes, our final Test of three. He preferred instead to gather information
on the conditions, look at the final makeup of the opposing tribe and
assimilate those elements into his gameplan which had served him so well
in the two previous encounters.
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NOT
QUITE ENOUGH: Hayden's 203 in the first innings couldn't ensure an
Aussie win |
On the other hand, Michael Slater, in some ways
a more gifted player, was concerned that he had not given of his best
for his tribe in the previous encounters. As a result, he worked very
hard on improving his technique for this final match-up. Each member has
a different approach to readying themselves for a confrontation with an
opposing tribe. As a "witch doctor" of the team, I am responsible
for ensuring that each individual gets the best physical, mental and technical
preparation he can, in order to give that person the best opportunity
to succeed. It is also my role to help bring the tribe together and summarise
where our opportunities and weaknesses lie. But I think in part, the outcome
of the final joust was due to me not spending sufficient time dealing
with why one or two young warriors from the opposing side could be best
countered.
By the completion of day one, our visiting tribe
had endeared themselves to the "Goddess" with a wonderful display
of skill led by Hayden and supported by the effortless Mark Waugh. However,
as the series had already proven, contentment with one's position can
be shortlived. Day two lived up to the reputation of the days that preceded
as our chieftain, Steve Waugh, cool and combative under all conditions,
succumbed to a dismissal that is extremely rare-handling the ball. It
was as if the dismissal was a signal to the home tribe to surge; make
their assault now, while the visiting tribe were still regrouping after
such a freakish change to the game. Visions of Mumbai swept across our
rooms as a similar incident of the unusual traversed Sachin Tendulkar,
changed the face of the "Goddess", lending her support to the
visitors. And so too here, as we capitulated to be all out for 391, sacrificing
a total in excess of 500.
It was time for true Aussie grit to show through
the next day as otherwise the Test and ultimately, the love of the "Goddess"
would be lost. Some inspired bowling by McGrath, Gillespie and Funky Miller
kept us close; then, Sachin finally delivered what his tribe and all tribal
followers wanted-a glorious innings of self-discipline, of imperious shotmaking
and of courage, which allowed his lieutenant-at-bat, Rahul Dravid, to
do likewise. The momentum turned as the Aussie tribe, through some inspired
cricket from Shane Warne, Dizzy Gillespie and Miller, wrestled the locals
grip on the "Goddess" free and gave her more to ponder. In fact,
the Australian post-tea resurgence came a lot from the "sheikh of
tweak" as he inspired his teammates from the dressing room to the
field. Again, there were twists and turns the following day which left
the Indian tribe holding the favour of the "Goddess", and when
Steve Waugh departed early the next morning, a seemingly meagre chase
of 155 was left for the home tribe.
However, 7/125 was the highest fourth innings
score recorded at this ground to win a Test-so anything was still possible.
In the final salute, V.V.S. Laxman, who had so changed the face of Kolkata,
batted superbly to keep the Indian score on target; and even though wickets
fell, his innings had given them the cushion that was to see young Harbhajan
Singh score the winning runs. Victory was India's. The "Goddess"
has a new resting place and new companions. And the visiting Australian
side has plenty of moments and performances of which to be truly proud.
(John Buchanan is the coach of the current Australian
cricket team.)
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