'I don't want to change too much too early'
India's new physiotherapist John Gloster talks to Nagraj Gollapudi about his first impressions of Team India, and about leaving the Bangladesh post
Nagraj Gollapudi
05-Feb-2005
John Gloster is ready for a different challenge. Recently appointed as India's physiotherapist, he takes his first look at the players during the Challenger Series ODI tournament this week in Mumbai. He had four successful years with Bangladesh before being attracted to the Indian position. In this Cricinfo exclusive, Gloster speaks about his first impressions of Team India and reveals his own plans.
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Are you all set to join the Indian team?
Yes, I arrive Monday morning in Mumbai, where I will have a look at the top 36 players of the country contesting the Challenger Trophy ODIs. It is a good point to start my job and see the players. The liaison between myself, John Wright and Gregory Allen King is a crucial thing, too. I don't want to change too much too early because what has been set in place to this point has been successful, so I need to tread carefully there initially till I get to know the players and the other staff.
Yes, I arrive Monday morning in Mumbai, where I will have a look at the top 36 players of the country contesting the Challenger Trophy ODIs. It is a good point to start my job and see the players. The liaison between myself, John Wright and Gregory Allen King is a crucial thing, too. I don't want to change too much too early because what has been set in place to this point has been successful, so I need to tread carefully there initially till I get to know the players and the other staff.
So you have accepted the BCCI offer?
That is correct. The intricacies will be worked out in person when I reach there but the initial contract is of one year with a review after the first six months.
That is correct. The intricacies will be worked out in person when I reach there but the initial contract is of one year with a review after the first six months.
As a physio you would require time to know the training mindsets of players. Don't you think this contract period is too short?
Not initially, because I should be able to settle and get a good feel and set in the systems within that sort of a timeframe. I am confident that within one year we should be able to, both, continue with what is already in place and perhaps change a few things within that structure.
Not initially, because I should be able to settle and get a good feel and set in the systems within that sort of a timeframe. I am confident that within one year we should be able to, both, continue with what is already in place and perhaps change a few things within that structure.
Why did you choose to give up a full-time job, like the Bangladesh one, to opt for such small contract?
I had coming just under four years with Bangladesh. I chose to leave them on my terms and I felt that it was really good time to finish with Bangladesh. The structure that we had in place was working and with the assistance of Dav Whatmore I felt it was up and running nicely. That was proved in the following series against India and the series victory against Zimbabwe. I would like to feel that what I had done was part of the reason for their success.
I had coming just under four years with Bangladesh. I chose to leave them on my terms and I felt that it was really good time to finish with Bangladesh. The structure that we had in place was working and with the assistance of Dav Whatmore I felt it was up and running nicely. That was proved in the following series against India and the series victory against Zimbabwe. I would like to feel that what I had done was part of the reason for their success.
Can you tell us about your cricketing pedigree?
I played cricket at school and university level. Then I had my three years with Surrey from 1998-2001 which I thoroughly enjoyed. The level of professionalism there was second-to-none: Adam Hollioake, Keith Medleycott and Alan Butcher had put a structure and planning in such a good state that it helped me a lot with the way I handled the players and it certainly helped me by the time I got to Bangladesh.
I played cricket at school and university level. Then I had my three years with Surrey from 1998-2001 which I thoroughly enjoyed. The level of professionalism there was second-to-none: Adam Hollioake, Keith Medleycott and Alan Butcher had put a structure and planning in such a good state that it helped me a lot with the way I handled the players and it certainly helped me by the time I got to Bangladesh.
Have you ever had any experience of India - as a traveler or on some official assignment?
Yes, I've been to Bangalore and Calcutta, but other than that nothing. I assisted the Indian team for a couple of days during the 2003 TVS Cup final, when Andrew (Leipus) had to go back to South Africa for a period of time. That was good fun - I enjoyed working with John Wright and the boys. John was coaching Kent when I was at Surrey and he is a very positive fellow. He actually reminds me of Dav Whatmore: they are basically two very similar people in terms of cricketing knowledge which I was impressed with very much.
Yes, I've been to Bangalore and Calcutta, but other than that nothing. I assisted the Indian team for a couple of days during the 2003 TVS Cup final, when Andrew (Leipus) had to go back to South Africa for a period of time. That was good fun - I enjoyed working with John Wright and the boys. John was coaching Kent when I was at Surrey and he is a very positive fellow. He actually reminds me of Dav Whatmore: they are basically two very similar people in terms of cricketing knowledge which I was impressed with very much.
And was Leipus the one who alerted you about the job?
Initially, Andrew just asked if I would I be interested in having my name pushed forward as a potential candidate. The direction that Indian cricket has taken in the last two or three years has been a very positive one and it's always nice to be involved with a team that you feel is going in the right direction.
Initially, Andrew just asked if I would I be interested in having my name pushed forward as a potential candidate. The direction that Indian cricket has taken in the last two or three years has been a very positive one and it's always nice to be involved with a team that you feel is going in the right direction.
He (Leipus) has steadily developed a good level of physical fitness amongst the players - how do you aim to improvise on that?
The most important thing, like I said before, is the liaison between the fitness coach, yourself and the team coach has to be good. The player's workload has to be monitored very, very closely because of the tight schedules being played at the moment where a series is very long. And the problem we figured is overuse injuries rather than any traumatic injuries. So developing a very good endurance base and a very good power base are probably the two most important areas that need to be explored more. I haven't really discussed that with Greg at this stage and I can't really comment a lot on that until I work on the direction Greg is planning to take. The directions they already have taken are positive ones and I would be reluctant to change them too much.
The most important thing, like I said before, is the liaison between the fitness coach, yourself and the team coach has to be good. The player's workload has to be monitored very, very closely because of the tight schedules being played at the moment where a series is very long. And the problem we figured is overuse injuries rather than any traumatic injuries. So developing a very good endurance base and a very good power base are probably the two most important areas that need to be explored more. I haven't really discussed that with Greg at this stage and I can't really comment a lot on that until I work on the direction Greg is planning to take. The directions they already have taken are positive ones and I would be reluctant to change them too much.
Has Leipus alerted you on the Indian traits that would come handy?
Not really, nothing specific. The physical makeup of most individuals in the subcontinent is fairly similar with the Bengalis and the Indians are very sleight people as a general rule. So the majority of the problems would be similar to the ones I dealt with the Bangladeshis.
Not really, nothing specific. The physical makeup of most individuals in the subcontinent is fairly similar with the Bengalis and the Indians are very sleight people as a general rule. So the majority of the problems would be similar to the ones I dealt with the Bangladeshis.
What would be your prime focus during your stay?
Obviously the primary focus, as it should be, is to present a fit squad of players consistently to the selection committee; another important area would be to develop and maintain good relationships with various parties like the coach, fitness co-ordinator and the selectors.
Obviously the primary focus, as it should be, is to present a fit squad of players consistently to the selection committee; another important area would be to develop and maintain good relationships with various parties like the coach, fitness co-ordinator and the selectors.
You have already worked with Bangladesh and Surrey - two completely different environments - how did you adapt and adjust to the ground realities there?
I went to Bangladesh because it was a challenge. Fortunately for me I was given a fairly clean template to work with: there was not a lot of structure in place so I was able to implement programs and plans that I felt would help. Coming in to India there is a lot of structure already in the place which is a good thing. Like I said before I wouldn't be tampering too much with that initially because I feel from an outsider's perspective it seems to be working well at the moment. The structure that were in place in Surrey gave me a good grounding in knowledge that I could take on to a situation like Bangladesh where there wasn't a lot in place. You know that's a challenge of working in the subcontinent but I find that really interesting. When you move to a different culture its best to try and be amongst it, try and absorb it and be part of it - you got to work within the culture that you are employed in.
I went to Bangladesh because it was a challenge. Fortunately for me I was given a fairly clean template to work with: there was not a lot of structure in place so I was able to implement programs and plans that I felt would help. Coming in to India there is a lot of structure already in the place which is a good thing. Like I said before I wouldn't be tampering too much with that initially because I feel from an outsider's perspective it seems to be working well at the moment. The structure that were in place in Surrey gave me a good grounding in knowledge that I could take on to a situation like Bangladesh where there wasn't a lot in place. You know that's a challenge of working in the subcontinent but I find that really interesting. When you move to a different culture its best to try and be amongst it, try and absorb it and be part of it - you got to work within the culture that you are employed in.