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VIEWPOINT: CRICKET TALK
Fighting Finale
The Aussies ensured they took something home to
show for their work and weariness
By John Buchanan
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TWO FACES OF THE TOUR: The Australians
celebrate their one-day series victory (below left) but Laxman (above)
rides roughshod over a tired Glen McGrath at Goa
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The lost Test series
and with it lost chances hung heavily in the Australian camp at the end
of the tussle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The series was as magnificent
as it was strenuous, physically and mentally. Critics will no doubt pontificate
about cricketers being highly paid professionals who must be able to deal
with the winning and losing, but a sportsperson is no less human than
the next person. In fact, sportspeople face more regular performance appraisals
than people in most other careers. Each innings with the bat, ball or
in the field is measured statistically and the higher the profile of the
individual or the competition, the more intense the scrutiny. These were
the feelings we carried from Chennai on top of the haunting memories of
Eden Gardens into the one-day series.
For us, coming to India with high hopes of continuing
our winning ways, and then to be denied-by the skilful Indian batting
and bowling of V.V.S. Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan
Singh, combined with some less than skilful batting by our middle order-was
extremely tough. In losing, there are always the "if onlys",
the reflections on unlucky decisions and "what could have beens".
However, if one is honest with oneself, not too far below the surface
of evaluation is the truth, and it is confronting the truth which is painful.
The harsh reality of what has transpired and how much of what happened
was in your control is what can attack and erode the spirit.
 From
my perspective as coach, there was a real "balancing" act needed
to prepare ourselves for an assault on the ODI series. The emotional letdown
for all of us from the Test series; the enthusiasm and freshness of the
new boys flown in, along with their inexperience of local conditions;
and the differences the one day game demands, physically, mentally, in
technique and tactics-all had to be broached, analysed and synthesised
in a short two-day period.
By the end of the Chepauk Test, it was obvious
too that Jason Gillespie was not going to be continuing with us as his
Herculean efforts had left him with hamstring and foot problems.
A toss in most cases is
of little influence in one-day cricket, or at least should be. However,
with respect to the first game of the series with teams coming straight
off arduous Test encounters, to be able to bat first and have the other
team chase, is a distinct advantage. An imposing score of 315 in Bangalore
was not in itself unattainable, but the "one-day rhythm" of
chasing targets can be difficult for any side, more especially when a
batting side is not in the "rhythm" of one-day cricket.
Such a scenario seemed difficult to appreciate
as the enormous figure of Matthew Hayden-both through his physical size
and the sheer weight of runs he has amassed-and the enigmatic Michael
Bevan took over. Like in Test matches, it took something unusual to break
this partnership. "I tried to belt the cover off the ball to get
it to the boundary," Michael said later, but he only succeeded in
pulling a short one from Saurav Ganguly straight to midwicket. From this
point the Aussie assault faltered. It was a disappointing start to the
one-day series for us; but from the Indian perspective it continued the
momentum they had established from their second innings in Calcutta.
It was off to Pune from there, requiring a special
effort and a lift in our attitude if we were to remain in the series-a
loss would be devastating for us, given the most recent memories. Andrew
Symonds, Darren Lehmann, and Nathan Bracken came into the side in accordance
with our rotation policy. The policy is not a "mathematical equation".
On the other hand, it does attempt to provide all squad members with a
chance to play, not necessarily dictated by the situation of a series.
As mentioned, this game required something special
and it arrived in the guise of "Junior" Waugh who first combined
with Hayden to give the team a great foundation before he continued on
to a magnificent 133 not out to ensure the series was tied.
When the "caravanserai" moved to Indore
we encountered the "little master" at his mercurial best. To
this point Sachin had only hinted at what could be possible if he chose
not to sacrifice his wicket in pursuit of winning the game in the first
15 overs-at the MPCA ground he actually did so. Even Laxman's contribution
and their partnership were left in the shadow of Sachin's bat.
After our defeat in Indore, we were looking
down the barrel of losing the one-day series by the fourth game. At the
same time, off the field, support staff worked hard at ways and means
of making every day as enjoyable as possible, given the events on the
field and thoughts of home growing larger and louder in everyone's conscious
and subconscious moments.
Throughout the tour we had intermittently organised
various team activities, either dinners, quiz nights, barbecues ... So
in Indore I asked a couple of the team's social organisers, Damien Fleming
and Lehmann, to run a competition for all the players to pick the weekend
Australian Rugby League and Australian Football results plus a fun quiz
night. We all contributed $20 for entering the "footy" predictions
and the quiz night. The group I teamed up with (it included Shane Warne,
Bevan, Symonds and team physio Patrick Farhart) for the quiz was the winner.
Warnie and Symo were good value on sports questions, Bevan had few peers
when it came to movies and Patty was an absolute genius on music. Such
events plus the untiring work of Patty and Jock Campbell (doing massage
and physically challenging all players) kept us all ready for our final
two encounters. We were determined not to leave India without taking something
home for all the hard work, disappointments and preparations. So Vizag
and then the former Portuguese settlement of Goa, were to mark our final
cards for India 2001.
As if lightened by the sea, salt and sounds
of Vizag, our batting was probably the best it had been all tour. Ricky
Ponting who had done some extra work in the nets on his front-foot balance,
showed clearly why he is such an exciting batsman. Along with the unquenchable
Hayden, he produced an exhilarating partnership which allowed Steve Waugh,
Bevan and "bully-boy" Shane Lee to continue the run flow and
post a mammoth 338. The bowlers followed up, and by the 36th over the
match was well and truly in our grasp. Bracken-playing his second game-was
outstanding with 2 for 9 from five overs, including the prize wicket of
Sachin.
So it was on to Goa for the final showdown.
The script had been written, the players cast and the impressive, gladiatorial-like
stadium the set for what was a thrilling climax to the series and the
tour. The outfield was immaculate but the wicket appeared as though it
would be tougher to bat on during the day. A reincarnated Ganguly and
the only batsman to challenge Hayden for consistency, Laxman, gave India
a solid start, but Ian Harvey, Symonds and Bracken pulled us back. Fifty-six
off the last 11 overs kept the total down. Twenty-odd runs more and it
could have sealed the game for India. After a flying start, there were
still plenty of twists left in this finale as "the little man"
stepped in with the ball. Suddenly Sachin had Australia tumbling, requiring
62 from 60 balls. Fortunately for us and less so for India, Bevan was
still at the crease and with Harvey and with ever increasing certainty,
he guided Australia home, 3-2 winners in the series.
Both sides can leave the fray with many positives.
But there is still a question to be answered-how much have we learnt about
playing India in India?
(John Buchanan is the coach of the Australian cricket
team.)
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