“I know fielding’s supposed to be fun, so players need to stay loose. But we are looking ahead to create movement and aggression. Importantly, we have the right personnel to put these into action. So if we hit the ball, we’ll definitely get our man,’’ he says.

Young concedes that all teams have improved over the years — there’s a special mention of Raina and Kaif in the Indian context — but insists that the Aussies are No 1. Possibly the one unit that could challenge the Australian supremacy here is the South Africans — mentored lately by the one-man, two-word definition of agility through the 1990s, Jonty Rhodes. “My coaching is just fine-tuning of what is required at the highest level to contain the pressure,’’ he repeats Young’s theme of aggressive fielding.

Both coaches, though, insist that it is all possible owing to the stock of sprightly cricketers they have at their disposal. “Players need to remain fit and practice hard. We have a young bunch and they compliment each other well, on the field,’’ Rhodes says. Young, while acknowledging the pedigree in his rival ranks, adds, “The strength of a fielding unit depends on the bunch you have. The Proteas had a great team with good foot-strength and anticipation. Fielding is an athletic skill, and I’m fortunate to have a good bunch of fit players.’’

Young, though, is working with half a dozen 30-year-olds. Oldies ain’t no problem, it seems. “They are very good at what they do, and don’t sit on their laurels. Someone like Ricky Ponting, he’s more focussed on all facets of the game now than ever,’’ he says.

... contd.