Bob Woolmer's update

[QT]

Australia Update (7) from Perth
31 Jan 2005
AUSTRALIA UPDATE …(7)……JANUARY 31ST (PERTH)






Our victory over Australia last night while greeted with joy was tinged with sadness with the news that Younis Khan’s father died yesterday. I never met him but can only say that he spawned a wonderful son, endowed with true kinship spirit, wonderful all round sporting ability and a man with lovely manners. He goes in the knowledge that he made the world a better place.

My and the team’s heartfelt sympathies go with him and his family in this testing time, we offer them all our deepest condolences.





After our game in Adelaide against the West Indies there were some harsh words spoken in the dressing room and in the meeting before this game. The VB series is all about organization. We spend our time packing and unpacking getting on buses getting off buses, going through security checks and getting on and off planes at such a rate that at times it is difficult to think straight. It is a time for disciplined minds.

The Adelaide performance wasn’t even a circus it was worse.

We were caught out at Sydney on a tough track but didn’t make enough runs and not batting through the 50 overs is always a crime in itself, Instead of bouncing back at Adelaide our no balls ground fielding went totally to pot. Giving or even finding a reason is tough. Inevitable we all had to look in the mirror. Rana spent an afternoon with me working on his run up and that paid dividends as he bowled really well with no No balls and bowled exceptionally well against the Aussies.





The inconsistencies in performance come from a mixture of fear of failure and complacency. This has to be stamped out and Inzamam and I are working on this all the time. There are signs that we are making progress. The talent is there the experience is being gained. The learning curve for everyone is very steep and it is important that we do learn.





Azhar Mehmood hurt his shoulder diving at Adelaide and while he is responding to treatment rapidly was not fit for the Perth game and we gave Kamran a rest while we continue to experiment with Younis as our one-day part time keeper. Khalil recovered after a nightmare start and bowled very well in his second spell. Rao must be the unluckiest bowler with no fielder supporting him. Our catching left a lot to be desired. It is difficult to understand when the players practice a lot that they still drop catches. I guess if we all look back on our own careers that we dropped them too.

After the game Inzamam made the point quite correctly that the players can spend time on there game outside the regulated practice times, a half hour a day with catches is nothing.





After last night’s match we had a swim this morning water training relaxes the body and helps the recovery process, there was an optional practice at 0830, the boys are keen to do well.

The West Indies are not a push over and Lara’s innings was a gem, he is probably the most destructive player in the world when he gets going, in line with Gilchrist and Michael Clarke, what a player he has become in a short period.

WE have batted well in all but one of the games and if we beat the West Indies on Tuesday we will make the finals. We must always encourage and back the players to perform and ensure that they remain confident in there ability.





Finally because we have traveled and moved a lot recently I have not been able to answer many of your questions but will be doing so shortly. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and thoughts and for all of your support.

Bob

[waquas_uk]

they need to get together and be on top of there game 2nite and for rest of series if they win

[Officer Barbrady]

"After our game in Adelaide against the West Indies there were some harsh words spoken in the dressing room and in the meeting before this game. "

Glad to hear that!

I would have preferred if Azhar had been dropped on performance.

[Awesome Anjum]

Very touching tribute to YK's father.