In an interview with TOI, South Africa nice Rhodes, the fielding coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, spoke on what makes a very good fielder, the position of coaches and the way forward for one-day cricket.
Excerpts:
What are the principle elements of an excellent fielder?
We know fielding is essential and it’s a matter of self-discipline to study good methods. One of them is the power to maneuver laterally and sideways as cricket is a really straight line sport. Whether you’re batting or bowling, all people is transferring in a straight line. To be a very good fielder, you want agility to alter instructions. Secondly, that you must have good anticipation which doesn’t imply quicker reflexes. Good anticipation means you count on each bowl to come back to you. This is just not one thing you may coach. Another factor is that you simply not solely have to look at the ball approaching to the bat but in addition the batter’s physique language. To do good fielding, you need to take pleasure in it.
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Who, in line with you, are the highest three fielders in world cricket immediately?
Right now there is just one – Ravindra Jadeja.
There was a time when being a very good fielder was a private factor, however now it’s a collective exercise. Is limited-overs cricket the principle purpose behind it?
It is T20 cricket particularly, not simply restricted overs. Only when IPL started, folks actually began specializing in fielding. Not each crew had fielding coaches. There was sufficient time in 50-over matches. You had 3-4 good fielders and 6-7 guys didn’t do nice. But as soon as IPL began, we noticed progress in fielding. Since 2008, round 12-13 years have been superb. Earlier, folks spoke about fielding however there have been solely 3-4 good people. But now, as a crew we have now seen the expansion of fielding undergo the roof.
In immediately’s cricket, not solely catches and run-outs are very important, however saving runs can also be equally essential. How troublesome is it to turn into a high quality fielder when one has to focus a lot on batting and bowling expertise?
It is just not troublesome to concentrate on fielding as a result of it’s a self-discipline. We have fielding coaches and their job is to make the work carried out. Just like batting and bowling, it is part of every day follow. As a fielding coach, I’m not requesting gamers, I get them into fielding guidelines. Fielding now is a crucial a part of cricket.
How do you see the Lucknow crew performing this season, particularly when there are video games each at dwelling and away. Travelling, enjoying matches at numerous centres and coaching can take a giant toll. How can gamers stay contemporary in such a busy event?
It is troublesome. Firstly, we’re again with the IPL outdoors Maharashtra. We need to make Ekana Stadium our homeground and our fortress. When folks come to Lucknow, they know they’ve powerful video games at hand not due to matches however because of travelling. Flying pan-India makes a protracted day, possibly 6-7 hours. So, we have now to take care of psychological fatigue in the course of the IPL. So, as coaches, we focus on with the administration, health trainers, physiotherapists and counsellors about how we will maximise time for relaxation for gamers. If we don’t get that proper, we can have mentally fatigued gamers.
We have seen an enormous distinction in high quality of fielding in home and worldwide cricket. What ought to be carried out to slender that hole?
I feel extra coaches are required. If I am going to any academy and any state, I can inspire the gamers for 3-4 days in a camp. They will likely be excited and do the drills however in two weeks’ time, they are going to neglect all the pieces or not do issues with the identical depth. Cricket is a sport of behavior and the way you follow is essential. People assume follow makes excellent gamers however you want excellent follow for perfection. The secret is to upskill coaches at home stage and ensure extra kids come via as they’ll simply get into the great behavior of fielding at an early stage. We ought to concentrate on coaches. If I prepare gamers, the affect is on 10-12 gamers but when I can prepare 5-6 coaches, the affect will likely be on 100 gamers.
Because of T20 cricket, 50-over matches typically turn into drab. What do you assume would be the way forward for ODIs?
ODI is like three separate occasions inside 50 overs – there are energy performs, the center and the demise overs, the place the batters attempt to make most runs and bowlers are beneath stress. But take a look at England, they play the entire means via. They should not nervous in regards to the begin, center or the tip, they simply go exhausting. South Africa performs courageous cricket, Australia does it barely in a different way. So, 50-over cricket stays the identical, what would possibly change can be the angle of the groups in direction of it and that might make it entertaining for the folks.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com