Marsh calls for streamlined coaching

Former Australia coach Geoff Marsh, now a consultant to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, says streamlined coaching will benefit the game in India.

The former Australia vice-captain expressed this view after visiting the Delhi branch of the National Cricket Academy on Thursday.

The BCCI set up the National Cricket Academy last year on the lines of the one in Australia, and former Australian wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh was appointed its consultant.

Geoff Marsh said he would submit a report to the BCCI next month on how to improve Indian cricket, including domestic tournaments.

He said streamlined coaching through the national academies would be a "pathway to international cricket" and would prevent the team from experiencing the kind of slump the West Indies have suffered.

"It happened in Australia, in South Africa and it's happening in England now. It is giving the boys an opportunity to fast track," he said.

Marsh had sought the job of India coach last year but former New Zealand captain John Wright was preferred.

Marsh said Wright played a big role in India's recent Test series win over Australia.

"John Wright has given them new ideas. He toughened them up a little bit in this series," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor