Matter of time before Tendulkar
strikes, says Bob Simpson

Former Australia skipper Bob Simpson feels batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar should play his natural, attacking game and not worry too much about his present form in the West Indies to break out of the lean phase he is going through.

"He is too good a batsman and can strike form any time. He should not get bogged down and play halfhearted strokes," Simpson, now in Mumbai as consultant to the Cricket Club of India's cricket academy, said on Saturday.

Reminding that every batsman goes through a lean period, Simpson said: "With a century and a fifty under his belt he [Tendulkar] has been among runs, but it may be not as consistently as he has been in the past. There is no doubt he is a great batsman and I think it is just a matter of time before he strikes form."

Reflecting on India's inability to consistently win matches, the Aussie, who worked as consultant to the Indian team for the last World Cup, said, "There are too many players playing for India. The Indian selectors should back a certain number of players. Chopping and changing players will not help the team in any way."

He was all praise for India's first foreign coach John Wright of New Zealand. "I think Wright has done a good job so far. He was not very high on talent as a player so he is that much more understanding with the younger lot of cricketers. His coaching stint with Kent would have helped him a lot. He can be tough and I think he is doing a pretty good job."

Simpson said he wouldn't write India off in the next World Cup in South Africa, provided the selectors pick the right players.

"Certainly not, if they pick the right people. India has the ability to be competitive but the World Cup depends on so many things and not just talent. You need luck on your side as well and I won't write India off."

He also reminded passionate fans and critics of the need to back the team in bad times.

"There is passion in other countries too, but the media and people must realise the importance of supporting the team even when it is going through bad times. No team can win all the time."

Mail Cricket Editor