Sir Viv's master plan
Sir Vivian Richards's game plan for coaching the West Indies to victory in New Zealand involves mental preparation
Diane Lumsden Brandis
27-Nov-1999
Sir Vivian Richards's game plan for coaching the West Indies to victory
in New Zealand involves mental preparation.
There will be a lot of positive dialogue exchanged and patting on the
back to build the confidence of the players to make them realise that
winning is a capable and reachable goal, he told WEEKENDSPORT before
flying out from Grantley Adams airport on Wednesday night.
Sir Viv also said that one of his future goals is to have past West
Indies cricketers provide motivational talks for present players.
Based primarily on performances during the Busta Cup, the new coach is
optimistic about the tour of New Zealand.
However, the man who never lost a series as West Indies captain
cautioned West Indies fans to be realistic about a team that he
described as being in a state of re-building.
A lot of people expect miracles from the team, but they have to
understand that the team is going through a transition period, he
said.
Moreover, according to Sir Viv, the conditions in New Zealand are very
difficult to play under.
New Zealand is very damp, and the Kiwis play well under these
conditions, he said.
We are arriving in New Zealand earlier than we usually do for a Test
series. This may benefit the players as they will have the opportunity
to practice in the damp conditions they will have to play in, added
Sir Viv, who has been appointed for this tour only, but who has said
he will apply for the job for a longer term when it is advertised.
The West Indies arrive in New Zealand this weekend but don't play
their first match until next Friday. The series against New Zealand
involves two Tests, the first of which starts on December 16, and five
One-Day Internationals.
Captain Brian Lara agreed with his coach about the benefits of
arriving in New Zealand early.
It will give us a chance to acclimatise, said Lara, whose response
to how he feels about the tour was: We've got to win. We have to
find a formula to win. I know that Sir Viv Richards will play an
important role in developing our skills, especially in respect to
batting, he said.
He said he aimed to please the Caribbean public by having a successful
tour.
I feel much better seeing a happy West Indian face, than one that is
angry, he said.
Opening batsman Sherwin Campbell is pumped about the tour but a little
unhappy at leaving his new bride, Rosalind, behind,
It is disappointing to have to leave so soon after getting married,
but it is my job and I have to do it.