Wright looking to make India feel at home abroad

Narayanan Madhavan

India coach John Wright is determined to improve his team's poor record on foreign soil when they embark on the first of three consecutive tours later this month.

New Zealander Wright, whose side beat the all-conquering Australians 2-1 at home earlier this year, needs to make his players feel more comfortable on their travels to start getting better results.

"I think it is a great challenge and a big opportunity," he told Reuters. "I just think we will have to be very well organised and I'll try and make it easy for the players so that they feel at home."

Captain Saurav Ganguly and his squad will leave India on May 25 for a two-test series in Zimbabwe, followed by trips to Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Indian players have traditionally not been good tourists, with problems ranging from their temperament to dislike of foreign food, and their last major overseas test series victory was achieved eight years ago in Sri Lanka.

TEAM UNITY
"I'll try and keep the team together with a lot of things that we do on and off the field so you keep the team unity," said Wright, who took over as India's first foreign coach last November.

A low-key victory in a two-test series against visiting Zimbabwe was a gentle intruduction for Wright, but the dramatic comeback victory over Australia showed the team had been instilled with a new passion.

The series was clinched with a two-wicket win in the third test in Madras, the batsmen keeping cool under intense pressure and showing great spirit to bounce back after losing the first test in Bombay by 10 wickets.

"My favourite session was in the Madras test when they played with a lot of determination when things were not going well", Wright said.

"We are making progress and I think the players understand their responsibilities to the great cricket-loving public of India," he added.

KEEPING MOMENTUM
For the past five days, Wright has been working with 26 players at a training camp in Bangalore, with the emphasis on fielding, running between the wickets and fitness.

"We have been work harding hard," he said. "It is important we make a good start in Zimbabwe to establish some momentum."

Mail Cricket Editor