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Getting physical with Bobby

Finally, the skies cleared. And the Indian probables, now in Chennai for the first of a series of preparatory camps for the World Cup, got their first real feel of a day's training under the new regime of Bobby Simpson-Anshuman Gaekwad-Andrew Kokinos.

Consultant coach Bobby Simpson, the former Australian skipper, was very much in evidence, coordinating the activity.

In the past, coaching camps for the national team have been pretty sophomoric. A light jog, some gentle warming up exercises, breakfast, then net practise for batsmen, in turn, while those not involved hang around, signing autographs or going through the motions of catch-practise.

In contrast to the first three days, when work was restricted to a single session due to bad weather, day four dawned clear, and the work increased in intensity.

The probables, in the morning, went through a full session of physical conditioning exercises, specially tailored by physio Andrew Kokinos, before Simpson and Gaekwad put them through their paces in the field.

The concentration was on sliding stops, quick pick ups and immediate release of the ball in the throw, throwing techniques that were based on the baseball technique of under the shoulder release, rather than the over the shoulder one more commonly employed by Indian cricketers.

The players were also taught, when throwing in from the line, to get the ball in over the top of the bails on the first bounce, rather than the full throw. The flatter, one-bounce throw gets the ball in quicker, and aids accuracy besides being less stressful on the shoulder and back muscles.

The players broke for lunch after a quick session in the nets, but another round of physical conditioning, followed by net practise, is slated for late afternoon, after which Simpson and Gaekwad, with the aid of video tapes made during the session, will take the players through their paces, pointing out shortcomings and errors, and suggesting correctives.

This, said Simpson, would pretty much be the schedule for the remaining days, till the camp concludes on September 4.

"It is unrealistic to expect that in one single camp, the team will be transformed," Simpson said, cautioning against an excess of optimism. "But we have to make a start, and the lessons learnt here can be implemented, and developed upon, during the next few weeks when the boys play a lot of cricket."

The former Aussie skipper said that a camp like this shouldn't be seen as a one shot exercise. "Follow up is the most important thing," he said. "Andrew (Kokinos) will make sure the boys regularly do the fitness regimes tailored for them, and Anshu (Gaekwad) and I would have worked out a programme for improving the skills, which he will monitor even after the camp ends. I will return to Australia, but we will be in touch throughout, till my next visit," Simpson said.

Admitting that coaching was giving him a big high, Simpson said, "I mean for the boys to work very hard. But at the same time, I want them to enjoy their time here, learn to enjoy playing. That is when the performance really picks up."