When former All Blacks rugby player and retired headmaster of a big boys grammar school in Auckland, John Graham received a telephone call from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Chris Doig towards the tailend of 1996, asking him to apply for the post of manager of the New Zealand cricket team, his first reaction was one of amazement.
``I told Chris that it was a bizzare request. I just couldn't imagine myself doing anything because I had no experience of management,'' said Graham.
``Why don't you go home and think about it, said Chris. I discussed it with my wife, because I was going to be away from home. She knew I would enjoy it and, thought that I had the skills to get involved in such things. That encouragement was important. So I took it on,'' he said.
However, Graham's appointment was not accepted immediately by his friends, the New Zealand public and the press.
When his appointment was announced, his friends rang up to say: ``What on earth do you know about cricket. You crazy or something''. There was quite a bit of criticism in the New Zealand press too because they couldn't see how an Australian coach (Steve Rixon) and a non-cricketer appointed manager could function.
Management skills
``I told them that I wasn't chosen to be a cricket coach or a cricket technician, but I was taken for my management skills,'' said Graham.
From that time onwards, a complete transformation to New Zealand cricket's outlook took place.
Graham took over for the home series against England in early 1997 and since then had to discipline only one player on a tour.
``It was a minor incident. One of the codes we agreed upon was breached. A fine was imposed and it was paid,'' he said.
When Graham took charge he found that there was some looseness in one what could call normal rules in any sporting team. Having played international sport in a pretty disciplined environment, Graham was able to draw up a code of conduct for the players to fall in line.
Along with Doig, the captain, the coach and a couple of senior players, a code of condcut was developed which they believed was noraml and acceptable behaviour for a side that represented the country.
Conduct
``We insisted on aspects such as you have a responsibility to your sport, your supporters, particularly the young people as a nation who follow you and support you. Setting very high standards of behaviour and conduct for 24 hours. That was the general concept,'' said Graham.
``Fitting into that were such things as shaving hair that was abnormal, dress as told, to wear the sponsors logo and thereby respect them, get to bed before major games and during games and be in the hotel by 11 p.m.
``They were pretty simple and normal requests and none of them really impinged on the rights to do what they wanted to do, which is enjoy themselves, meet people and to express themselves in the right way. I have not tried to curb the individuality of the players at all. You cannot do that because the 15 players on the tour are all different. While those rules are not negotiable, they are just normal principles,'' said Graham.
Having been a school teacher and later headmaster all his life, Graham didn't have any problems in telling the players what to do. During his school career, he developed a reputation for disciplining young people in an appropriate way. ``I had been doing it in my whole career as a school teacher, teaching MA Honours degree and history for 39 years, and then as headmaster for 21 years,'' said Graham.
Right man
NZC felt that he was the right man to create a disciplined environment of the New Zealand cricketers' behaviour on the field and more particularly, off it.
``I don't think any team or any individual sportsman can function at this demanding level they are playing, without discipline. Comparing ourselves with Australia, South Africa, West Indies and India, we are not still strong individually because we haven't got the number of players. So we got to look at all the things that give us advantages and, discipline is one of them.
``If you are not disciplined in your mind and in your 24 hours lifestyle, you cannot compete at this level. It's the same with Mark and Steve Waugh, Sachin Tendulkar or anybody. They have to be disciplined people to perform. Out of that comes work ethics which is extremely importnat for international professional cricketers. This is their job and so they've got to be disciplined in how they train, how they think about the game, how they improve themselves etc.'' said Graham.
All Blacks flanker
The 63-year-old manager who played as a flanker for the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team between 1958 and 1964 is thoroughly enjoying his new role as cricket manager.
``It is a privilege for me to be involved with any young national sporting team. These players are internationally known. It's a joy to be part of that. I met some wonderful people on tours and I've been to some impressive places. I never dreamt I would go to the cricket grounds in Melbourne and Sydney or be in Sri Lanka. Next year we go to England for the World Cup and visit Lord's, places which I heard of but been to, although I played three times at Twickenham,'' recalled Graham with a glint in his eyes.
He has been in a number of commissions for the New Zealand Rugby Union making reports on the game and presently, is the president of the Auckland Rugby Union.
``It is a little embarrassing to be away when rugby is going on at home and I am not there to lead the Union,'' said Graham, who was prepared to resign from his post, but was asked to continue till his three-year term expires at the end of the season.