Former New Zealand opener Bruce Edgar feels that there should be always a harmonious tension between the coach and the captain of any team for better results.
In an exclusive chat with The Hindu after speaking to the coaches at the St. John’s Cricket Foundation here on Friday morning, the 60-year-old Edgar says the coach has to work with the captain as it is he who will be backing the players out there in the middle. “I think the captain is much more committed to his players and that is important to have the right chemistry between the two,” says Edgar. who played between 1978-86.
Reflecting on the women’s cricket in general and in view of the fact that New Zealand will host the next edition of the World Cup in 2021, Edgar felt that the game is pretty much okay at the top level but it is imperative to have a very strong base of players for a better future. “Underneath it is very weak, not the number of players we would like the way it should be. Need to lay more emphasis on ensuring more girls are into the sport,” he felt.
“Yes, generally the standard of women’s cricket has improved a lot. They are much stronger, powerful, bowling faster, more athletic all of these features being reflected in the performances of the players of late,” Edgar pointed out.
On future of New Zealand cricket, Edgar reminds that it is still the No.2 sport back home. “The number of players in the game have increased after 2015 World Cup. But, the biggest challenge is to keep them in the game for long,” he says.
Any discussion with Edgar would be incomplete without reference to the now in-famous underarm bowling by Trevor Chappell in the 1981 World Series Cricket final against New Zealand at Melbourne when the former was the non-striker with striker Brian Mckechnie needing six of the last ball to ensure a tie.
“I must say it is memorable as people still keep talking about it. Probably, even the then Aussie captain Greg Chappell would regret that call now though it was a legal option,” Edgar feels. “But, I must say that that incident not only led retribution between the two countries but also captured the imagination of fans and ensured tremendous publicity for the game for the next 15 years,” he says with a big smile. “It is a fact that New Zealanders didn’t like that at all,” he added.
Reflecting on the pay disputes like in West Indies, Australia, Edgar reminds it is because the game has become bigger and the players naturally wanted a bigger share in the revenue.
On Indian cricket, Edgar feels that Virat Kohli’s team is a more complete team capable of beating the best in the world.
Referring to sledging, Edgar remembered the days when Thommo used to run into him and provoke. “But invariably he used to get frustrated at not getting any reaction from me. That is the only way to stay in the battle, your whole world then is within the range of your headgear and nothing else,” he signed off.