India batsman VVS Laxman is confident that the new coach Greg Chappell will do a good job with the team and take them to the next level by the 2006 World Cup.
"I've never worked with him. He is a big name in cricket and I think he will do a great job," he said.
Laxman was also full of praise for Chappell's predecessor New Zealander John Wright, who quit as India's coach after the Pakistan series earlier this year after being at the helm for over four years.
"John has done a very good job. He definitely improved the work ethic. I think he has prepared the Indian team for the next level. We will do very well in the 2006 World Cup if we can become the first team to go to the next level," Laxman said.
Laxman refused to comment when asked if Chappell's high profile could lead to an ego clash between the Australian and the top Indian cricketers.
The Hyderabadi batsman also said that he had turned down the offer from Glamorgan to because he had to attend the conditioning camp of the Indian team under Chappell.
"I had an offer from Glamorgan, but they wanted me to continue till July end. That was not possible," Laxman said.
When it was pointed out that he could have skipped the camp, as Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, who was signed by the same county, would Laxman said "The BCCI was very keen that I come back before the start of the camp."
Laxman though admitted that county experience helped in honing batsmen's skills.
"In English county season, you get a different type of wicket than what you see in India. Unlike India, the wickets there are seamer-friendly. It is educative, if you can play for five to eight weeks," he said.
However, he felt that the county assignment could prove tough for the bowlers.
"Bowling is a tough job physically. And the cramped cricket schedule at present takes a lot out of bowlers. So, for a bowler who plays top flight cricket, it may prove strenuous," Laxman said.
Exuding confidence of doing well in the coming season, that kicks off with the tri-series in Sri Lanka in August, Laxman said he has sweated it out in the off-season to keep himself in perfect shape for the battles ahead.
"I'm quite confident of doing well this season. I've really worked hard in the off-season. I hope to do well in both versions of the game," the Hyderabad cricketer said over phone.
"I feel disappointed at being repeatedly kept out of the side, particularly in the one-dayers. Whenever I have got the opening I have done well. But despite my good performance, I find myself out of the team.
"But having said that I think I can definitely improve my consistency level. Probably, I'm not doing justice to my potential. I'm working hard in this regard," he said.
Laxman shrugged off suggestions of India having a bad last season by saying that it was marred by three bad days in Tests.
"I don't really think that there was any slump in our form. We had some bad days in Tests, like the Chennai Test versus Australia.
"I'll rate our performance as 60 per cent good. But I feel that we have it in us to do better in ODIs."
Laxman also disclosed that he was closely associated with a biography of former Indian cricketer and fellow Hyderabadi M L Jaisimha, who has been a 'role model of sorts' for cricketers from the South Indian city.
"The book is being written by Joseph Anthony. At his request I got involved in the project. And I am now deeply involved in it."
