Greg Chappell did everything a player could, is one of the legends of the game, one of its most successful captains and an extremely well read human being. His book on cricket, only recently published in India, is stimulating and as a commentator he was very impressive with his clear thinking and straight talking. Yet, he is hated in parts of India and often misunderstood by people. He must wonder too whether his bouquet of offerings needs periodic review.

So, quite apart from being Superman, what does a coach really need to be given that he himself never has to face a ball? Bob Woolmer writes, “It has become abundantly clear that coaching cricket is but one part of the job and any new-age coach will need to be adept in the arts of political manoeuvring, diplomacy and speaking on television.”. Sad, but probably true. Add to that being a mentor, a confidant, a technical expert and a surrogate parent and you must under if the species can exist. Indeed, whether a coach should have to play all these roles is a matter that administrators must think about once they have taken their foot off the money-making pedal.

... contd.