Indians are growing up: Bob Woolmer

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">NEW DELHI:</span> Bob Woolmer is the man mainly credited with revolutionising cricket coaching with his novel use of technology which he used to make South Africa a top force.<br /><br />It’s his legacy that today no national cricket coach is seen without the laptop. His keen mind and his long involvement with the game as a county and Test player and as a coach has left him with immense experience and insight about the game.<br /><br />Thus, one could not wait but get his comments on India’s fine show in Australia as he launched a cricket show on a sports channel here on Friday. "While the gap on Australia is closing, the Indians are realising how good it can be. They are growing up," he said, adding that a lot of credit was due to psychologist Sandy Gordon.<br /><br />"He surely has helped India," Woolmer remarked before recalling how Gordon helped in Australia’s winning campaign in the 1999 World Cup after they were down in the dumps midway through the event. <br /><br />Woolmer, who has been involved with the ICC’s High Performance Programme which aids associate ICC members, said the results of his exertions have been very encouraging. In this context, he has been regularly touring six countries — Namibia, Kenya, UAE, Holland, Scotland and Canada — and helping them with senior and junior development programmes.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">He informed that 12 associate teams — three each from Asia, Africa, Europe and America — will contest a competition later this year. "The semifinals and the final will be held in Dubai in November. The winner may even get to play a proper Test and three ODIs against a full member." <br /><br />Responding to criticism that he was too technical as a coach, the former England batsman said knowledge about the basics of the game always took precedence over technology. <br /><br />"Technology can complement the basics which is a game of bat and ball. Technology helped me improve as a player and helped me when I turned a coach." <br /><br />With coach John Wright expressing interest in coaching New Zealand after he is through with India, will he take up the assignment if the Indian board made an offer? Woolmer smiled before saying "I’ll cross the bridge when I reach it." <br /><br />He, however, added, that he would like to have an Indian coach assisting him. "I think you should groom your own coaches for the job."</div> </div>