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Chappell has no secrets to to share on India

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-27 17:23

JAIPUR, India _ Former India cricket coach Greg Chappell says despite media speculation to the contrary, he has no secret information to pass on about the Indian team in his new role as the Australia's technical adviser.

"There's nothing called secrets in cricket. I've got no sensitive information on the Indian team," Chappell said Friday about his role with the Australia squad. "Both teams have a lot of footage of each player."

Chappell, a former Australian test captain, quit as India coach last year after the team's dismal performance at the World Cup, when is was knocked out in the first round.

He has returned to India with the touring Australian team ahead of the four-test series starting October 9, and Indian media are saying he might use his knowledge of the local side to help his new employers.

"Cricket is a game where knowledge is shared," he said. "England set up a cricket academy in Australia and they trained under Rod Marsh ahead of an Ashes series."

Australian teams have often encountered difficulty against India on its own turf, before winning the 2004 series 2-1 after a gap of over three decades.

By bringing the Australian team to the northern Indian city of Jaipur for a weeklong training camp ahead of this series, Chappell has caused some ripples in India's cricket fraternity.

"The whole idea of coming to India and train in Jaipur was to get acclimatized to conditions, trying to mentally and physically prepare ourselves for the test matches," Chappell said. "I can't say we have achieved much in four to five days.

"I would not say that India has lost its home advantage just because we've come here to acclimatize, India still has that advantage," he added.

Chappell said the Australian team had been trying to analyze ways of combating the Indian spinners on pitches that suited slow bowling.

"We've been discussing a lot about India's spinners, who have been historically very successful on home pitches," Chappell said. "A lot will depend on the pitches where Indian spinners have been dominant.

"But you can't ignore the pace bowlers, there's always a risk period during the match when the ball takes reverse swing," he said. "Combatting such situations is equally challenging."

Chappell said the No. 1-ranked Australian team was going through a transition phase after the retirement of several senior players.

"We're rebuilding our team and we have to put the basics together for eventual success," he said. "Test cricket is hard work and nothing more than hard work will make you successful."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting will play a big part in his team's fortunes in India, where he has struggled to find form in previous series, Chappell said.

"Ponting's not made many runs in India and he knows about it. He also knows that he has a big role to play and score lots of runs."