'No magic formula,' says Wright

The Indian cricket team's new coach John Wright on Thursday said he has no magic formula up his sleeve, and any improvement in Indian cricket will come only through hard work and regular practice.

"Let me make it very clear, I have no magic formula," Wright told reporters in Delhi after the Indian team had extended nets and work-out sessions ahead of the first Test against Zimbabwe, starting on Saturday.

"I am basically looking at a lot of practice, a lot of development in skills and a lot of hard work. They (the players) will have to involve themselves in team work and play with a lot of passion," Wright said.

Wright, who said he is "delighted and honoured" to be appointed coach of Indian team, added that he himself would work very hard.

"It's a great opportunity for me and I intend to work very hard and try to make a difference.

"I hope I will be able to make some contribution in improving the performance of the Indian team.

About his strategy, the former New Zealand captain said there are a lot of areas where the players will have to concentrate their energies on, and fielding would be accorded special priority.

"I will be targetting fielding for specific attention. But main energies will be devoted to getting the basics right.

"The result will then take care of itself," Wright said.

The former New Zealand opener said his role as coach is limited as it is the players who have to play the game.

"Players are the most important as they have to perform in the field. I am looking forward to working quietly from behind."

Asked whether he felt the match-fixing controversy had affected the morale of the players, Wright said, "Even if it had, it was not apparent."

He said he had been watching Indian cricket for the past few months and had formed an idea of how to go about with his job.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly welcomed Wright to the team and thanked the board for appointing him.

"We had been looking forward to it (the appointment of Wright) for quite some time and I hope John (Wright) will enjoy working with the team," Ganguly said.

Ganguly said his team has been playing good cricket in the last one month, except the final match in Sharjah, which India lost to Sri Lanka by a record 245 runs.

"That was more of a bad dream than any part of a pattern," he said, adding he is now looking forward to winning the Test series against Zimbabwe.

"We enjoy the home advantage but we will have to play good cricket to defeat them (Zimbabwe)," he said.

The stylish left-handed batsman said with the return of Javagal Srinath into the team the bowling department has been considerably strengthened.

Mail Cricket Editor