Home > Cricket > PTI > Report
Wright happy with team's showing
April 22, 2003 15:47 IST
India cricket coach John Wright expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in the just-concluded tri-series in Bangladesh but said there was scope for improvement in the last two games.
"On the whole the tournament went on well excepting the last two games, where things could have improved," Wright told newspersons in Kolkata, after returning from Dhaka on Tuesday.
India finished joint-winners with South Africa after the final was abandoned on Monday and the day before due to rains.
In the two league games Wright referred to, India barely scraped past hosts Bangladesh by four wickets, on Wednesday, and went down to South Africa by five wickets two days later.
The New Zealander said the young side looks good for the future and singled out up-and-coming pacer Aavishkar Salvi for special praise.
"He is a very good prospect. He has got a bit of pace and it is encouraging to see a young bowler with such a good height and action," Wright said.
Asked whether Salvi is the right man to replace veteran speedster Javagal Srinath, Wright said: "It is a bit early to pass such a judgement but he indeed looks very promising."
Wright also lauded skipper Sourav Ganguly for his leadership and batting in the tri-series.
He said the Indian side in Bangladesh was a good amalgam of youth and experience.
"It had some newcomers, who had done well for the 'A' side. But it also included eight or nine players who played in the recent World Cup."
He also had some good words for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's insistence on frequent international exposure for the 'A' side.
"It is a great exercise to bridge the gap between playing domestic tournaments and getting into the international arena," he said.
Queried about his scheduled meeting with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, Wright said: "I am not empowered to speak on it."
Pressed further, he said: "My contract was over on March 24. But I enjoy good relations with India and the Board. Let's see, where it leads to."
© Copyright 2003 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
|