Dav Whatmore: We are saving our best for the biggest games
Dav Whatmore - 8 August 2001
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Dav Whatmore National Coach
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During the last 12 months we have started to see a very encouraging trend:
Sri Lanka are playing their best one-day cricket in the biggest games. This
pattern was once again evident in the Coca-Cola Cup where Sri Lanka reserved
their finest performance for the final.
In fact, it is no coincidence that we are winning crucial one-day
encounters. Sri Lanka won the final because our players were able to cope
with the extra pressure of the occasion. Amidst all the hype and in front of
a sell-out crowd we remained focused on the cricket.
When you play finals its important to remember that essentially it's still a
game of cricket. You have to continue to do the things that got you to the
final. Instead on focusing on the result or the occasion you have to get to
grips with the basic processes that create success.
Thus, we have a saying that "you cannot cope with pressure by focusing on
pressure." We focus instead on the basics. In this case, on the need to
avoid run outs and reduce extras.
Sounds simple, but its not. The ability to absorb pressure and channel ones
energies on the cricket is a skill that cannot be picked up overnight. That'
s why I'm so pleased that this side appears to be getting to grips with it.
India, on the other hand, are the opposite. Their recent record in finals
has been poor - this was the eighth final that they have lost in succession.
We were well aware of this track record and realised that they could
struggle if we grabbed the initiative right from the beginning.
Even so, we were well aware that they were coming into the final after three
wins in a row. The magnificent innings of Virender Shewag against New
Zealand showed just how dangerous they could be.
In the field they looked edgy after the fine start made by Sanath Jayasuriya
and Avishka Gunawardene and we controlled the game thereafter.
Chasing 295 was never going to be easy - the highest score ever chased
successfully at Premadasa was 243. Nevertheless, we all saw Shewag's 69-ball
hundred and have the utmost respect for the other Indian batsmen.
It's very difficult though chasing a large score. Sometimes the pressure on
you to score quickly creates dangerous expectations. You feel that
boundaries are necessary and forget the basics. In essence, you start
running before you can walk.
We made a dream start with Russel Arnold running out Shewag in the second
over and Sourav Ganguly cutting straight to backward point next ball. After
that we put the ball in the right places and caught our catches.
Our first goal in the tournament had been to reach the final and we had the
advantage of securing a place early on. Although you obviously want to win
all the games there is no doubt that the players can relax a little when you
qualify early. You are also protected against a dip in form or provided with
an opportunity to try different players.
India, however, had their backs to the wall after three successive defeats.
They had three difficult games, with the last one being a very tough
semi-final that must have been mentally exhausting. With just two days left
to recover for the final they may not have had enough petrol in the tank.
Looking back over the entire tournament the highlight for me, apart from
some outstanding individual performances, was the success of the three fast
bowler-six batsmen policy, which we used throughout. The new formation,
however, still needs fine tuning, as we need to work out how to use it the
extra seamer most effectively.
Finally, the performance of New Zealand deserves a special mention. I though
they were very unlucky, as they acclimatised to the tropical conditions
quickly and played some very good one-day cricket. With Chris Cairns waiting
in the wings they have the makings of a very impressive side.
Time now to turn our minds to the forthcoming Test series against India. It'
s going to be tough with three games in just 20 days, but lets hope we can
replicate our Coca-Cola Cup success.
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