Chappell’s work bearing fruit for India

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IT'S seven years since Greg Chappell coached India but it's only now we can fully see what he was on about.

Chappell left India an exasperated and exhausted man after the 2007 World Cup.

He boldly tried to shake up the conservative Indian cricket setup but the setup won.

It was always going to because it takes more than one man to shift an oak tree.

Chappell admits he tried to do too much too soon but has few regrets because he believed in what he was doing.

This tour may prove that some of his theories were well-founded.

Chappell sensed that India's superstar cricket team had grown very comfortable with their own existence.

They were earning money by the truckload but they were drifting.

Apart from men like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble there was no desperate edge seeking improvement.

Indian player Sourav Ganguly had a frosty relationship with his former national coach Greg Chappell. Source: AP

Fans backed Ganguly, burning an effigies of Chappell during his reign. Source: AP

For India's batting superstars, life was about preserving their patch rather than moving forward.

India, for all their talent, were a modest fielding side, poor between the wickets, had negative tactics, and rarely won away from home.

Chappell's theory was that the side needed an injection of cheeky, fresh, young, fit, ambitious talent who would work hard on fielding, hustle between wickets, play a more team-orientated game.

Only then could they catch up with the rest of the world.

Well, here they are, seven years later, a long way from the finished product, but at least heading in the right direction.

India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was aggressive in the field. Source: AFP

To see India keeping aggressive field placings yesterday when David Warner was attacking and showing zest and purpose in everything they did was a portent of better days ahead.

There is still the occasional Three Stooges moment such as Ajin Rahane's embarrassing dropped catch of Shaun Marsh yesterday when Rahane looked like a statue waiting for a pigeon as he sat under the ball and dropped the undroppable catch.

But if India keep training hard, much like Bob Simpson's hardworking Australian teams of the 1980s, things will change eventually.

They have changed significantly already.

When Chappell's predecessor John Wright took over as Indian coach one of the first things he did was ban lounge chairs from Indian training.

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That's right. Lounge chairs.

Wright still cringes at the memory of standing near one of his batsman on an exercise bike in a gym when a group of Australian players including Matthew Hayden walked in.

The batsman was wearing sandals, sitting upright on the bike and not even sweating and Wright admitted "I could just tell the Australians were thinking, 'well done Wrighty, you have really got this mob fizzing.''

India have provided robust opposition for two Tests in a row, leaving Australian cricket in a state of flux.

Australia has bowled out India for 408 at lunch on day two of the second cricket Test in Brisbane.

Is Mitchell Starc a Test bowler? Will Chris Rogers get to England next year? Is Shaun Marsh the answer in the middle order? Is Peter Siddle finished?

All of these highly relevant questions have been asked and we have no conclusive answers.

A fighting half century from Rogers yesterday was a tiny step towards England for he will not be marked by totally conventional standards.

Statistics matter but a feisty 50 or two in the closing Tests are likely to be all he needs to get to the West Indies then England where he has been a run-scoring marvel in county cricket.

But there are no guarantees and many more questions to come.

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Delay could favour Fanning, Slater

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FORMER world champion Joel Parkinson believes the long wait for the right conditions at Pipeline might just play into the hands of his good mate Mick Fanning and American legend Kelly Slater.

The Australian former world champion believes the forecast conditions for this weekend will favour the two outsiders for surfing's world championship title over well-placed world No. 1 Gabriel Medina.

Parkinson also believes the five day wait for surfable conditions will be a major boost for Slater, a multiple champion a Pipeline, who is still recovering from a toe injury.

Just one and a half days of surfing in the world tour finale has been held with surfers twiddling their thumb since Sunday afternoon.

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"I really think the conditions coming will favour Mick and Kelly, just the way the sand is around the reef and the right handers,'' said Parkinson, who is out of the world title race but gunning for an event win at the Billabong Pipe Masters.

"And the wait has probably helped Kelly a lot as well with his toes. ''

Mathematically Medina has the upper hand at the Hawaiian event, needing to win just his third round heat to knock Slater out of the chase for a 12th world crown.

Fanning can afford for Medina to fail a little further down the track but if the Brazilian makes the final of the ASP World Tour decider, he will own a maiden world crown.

Parkinson yesterday gave an insight into the excitement brewing at Pipeline among the thousands of Brazilian fans who have made the trek to see Medina surf.

Mick Fanning at the Billabong Pipe Masters in 2013. Source: Supplied

"One guy on the beach said he hopes the event starts soon because there are two million people holding their breath in Brazil for Gabriel,'' Parkinson said.

Despite numerous Brazilian surfers making waves on the world tour in the past, Brazil has never before owned an ASP men's world surfing crown.

Medina's flirtation with the world title this year has resulted in unprecedented interest from Brazil in the title race and the sport.

When the 20-year-old won the famed Billabong Pro Tahiti earlier this year, it was watched by surfing's largest live audience.

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Wild Oats XI faster than ever

WILD Oats XI skipper Mark Richards admits he is flabbergasted the "skinny little pencil'' he steered to the first of seven Sydney to Hobart line honours wins in 2005 is now faster than ever as she prepares to rewrite history.

And in an ominous warning to her supermaxi rivals, Richards on Thursday declared his crew, dubbed the "red army'' in reference to their numbers and shirt colour, were just days from completing their best ever preparation for the race south.

"It really does still surprise me this boat is so competitive given her age but she was really just so advanced,'' Richards said of the slim-lined Bob Oatley-owned yacht still regarded as one of the world's best and well campaigned supermaxis.

"It really is unheard of for a boat 10 years old to be so competitive. It just goes to show how good she was when she was built.''

Renowned for her annual technological upgrades to keep her in line with modern trends, this year the Wild Oats team has opted to stay with a proven formula.

Wild Oats XI sails back towards the Sydney Heads during a heavy swell on a training day. Source: News Corp Australia

The crew have reversed an earlier decision to extend a hydrofoil wing which protruded from the yacht to give it lift when racing downwind, because it was interfering with her upwind performance with the boat back in the water on Friday after her latest tinkle.

In the past, Wild Oats' annual plastic surgery has included extending her from 98 foot to the maximum length of 100 allowed to race the Sydney to Hobart and the additions of various canard, rudder and foiling appendages which have resulted in the crew referring to the yacht as the Swiss Army knife.

Richards said the 2014 lead-up was one of Wild Oats' best ever, with only minor glitches interfering with their onwater training.

"It's been incident free, which has been great,'' said Richards, who was at the helm when Wild Oats hit 33 knots on a training run on the weekend.

"And she is undeniably faster than ever before.

Below deck, no creature comforts for the crew. Source: News Corp Australia

"She has a new sail inventory which is far superior to anything in the past.

"It is going quicker from every angle of sail than ever before.''

Since her launch, Wild Oats has set two race records — including the current mark of one day, 18 hours, 23min, 12 seconds for the 628nm race — won the coveted overall honours twice and owns seven line honours trophies.

But the Sydney yacht faces potentially her most formidable battle to retain the mantle of line honours winner this year, with at least three other yachts capable of ending her bid to become the first eight-time winner of the bluewater classic.

The American newcomer Comanche has been built to win races and set records but her performance, like fellow Australian heavyweight Perpetual Loyal, will be largely dependent on the weather from the Boxing Day start.

Mark Richards at the helm of Wild Oats XI during the Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour. Source: News Corp Australia

The Australian supermaxi Ragamuffin is expected to excel in similar conditions to Wild Oats but she is sight unseen by her rivals in the lead-up to the race.

"She, Ragamuffin, really is a mystery but good luck to them.'' Richards said.

"The more the merrier as fast as we are concerned.''

Richards said Wild Oats and her crew will put in two more big training days on Saturday and Sunday to complete her pre-Hobart preparations.

"Then it's all about the weather, which we can't control,'' he said.

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Road trip to test Melbourne United

Melbourne United coach Darryl McDonald says his team's confidence is unaffected by a poor road record. Source: News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE United will be searching for just its second road win when it meets a dangerous Wollongong at the Sandpit on Friday night.

United has a healthy 7-7 win-loss record this season, but road warriors they are not.

It has chalked up a solitary victory in six games away from the comforts of home.

It now heads to Wollongong on a two-game losing streak before returning home to face the Josh Childress-led Sydney Kings at Margaret Court Arena on Sunday.

"We've been solid at home but have struggled on the road," United interim coach Darryl McDonald said.

"So going to Wollongong we're going to have to stick to the game plan.

"If we do that and cut out the mishaps, we give ourselves a chance.

"The confidence is still there."

Wollongong has improved in recent weeks and will be looking to chalk up its third win in four games on Friday night.

Melbourne United's Lucas Walker screams out in frustration during a recent close loss. Source: News Corp Australia

Under coach Gordie McLeod, the Hawks have always been a very strong team at home.

McLeod this week said he believes Melbourne boasts the league's top playing roster.

''Talent-wise, they (United) have probably got six of the best players in the competition,'' McLeod told the Illawarra Mercury.

''They can attack you virtually one through five and they've got different ways to go at you, so it's not a team you can just focus on one or two players to shut down."

He may be talking Melbourne up, but McDoanld knows how strong the Hawks are at home.

"They are probably one of the teams playing really well right now," McDonald said.

"And they play really well at home.

"They have a great system and a great coach, and we know they'll make a run of this thing like they did last year.

Melbourne United's Mark Worthington is set upon by New Zealand Breakers' Ekene Ibekwe and Cedric Jackson. Source: News Corp Australia

"We definitely won't be underestimating them."

McDonald was not too critical of his side's two losses last week.

But there is little doubt Melbourne must start stringing a few wins together to avoid losing pace with the competition heavyweights in Perth and New Zealand.

McDonald said he is still looking for a four-quarter performance.

"For us, it is just consistency," he said.

"I thought we did a lot of stuff well against Adelaide and New Zealand.

"But we didn't take our opportunities when we should have.

"We just need to play for 40 minutes, which is the one thing we don't do and even in the games that we have won."

United will be without big man Chris Patton and guard Owen Odigie on Friday night.

McDonald is hopeful both will be available for Sunday's big clash with the Kings.

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Foreign raider prepares with night run

Comanche sails in Sydney Harbour in its first race during the Big Boat Challenge. Source: PETER PARKS / AFP

THE foreign raider Comanche has begun its final preparations for the Sydney to Hobart under the cover of darkness, with the newest yacht in the world hitting the high seas for an all-important night run.

The night sailing session will be invaluable preparation for the 100-footer readying for her first ever ocean race, the notorious Sydney to Hobart.

The session gives the chance for the experienced crew to check out such things as the lighting on instruments and changing sails in the dark.

Owned by Texan billionaire Jim Clark and his wife Kristy Hinze-Clark, the crew on Comanche have been racing the clock to have the yacht in top nick for the Boxing Day start of the race.

Skipper Ken Read steers Comanche past the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge on the way to sea trials. Source: AFP

"We know it will be a tight schedule,'' said skipper Ken Read, who has overseen the boat build, the shipping of the yacht to Australia and the preparations for the race.

"No one has ever seen a boat like this before so we are still learning all about her.

"But we want to put up a big fight.''

Untested in an ocean race and second to Wild Oats in a fun harbour event earlier this month, Read said on paper Comanche has the ability to claim line honours in the Sydney to Hobart.

"That's on paper,'' he said. "But that's what we are after.''

The Comanche crew look relaxed as they head out for sea trials. Source: AFP

Read said Wild Oats' impressive history as a former seven-time line honours winner in the Sydney to Hobart makes her the boat to beat.

"No doubt. She has the experience,'' he said.

Comanche has been built with the specific goal of winning and setting a new race record in one of the most prestigious ocean racing events in the world.

The fleet for the Boxing Day start of the 70th Sydney to Hobart race will be 118 strong — the biggest fleet to contest the 628-nautical mile dash south since the 50th anniversary 20 years ago.

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Saville’s injury blow in wildcard playoffs

Daria Gavrilova will battle Olivia Rogowska for a place in the final. Source: CAS Andrew Henshaw / News Limited

TALENTED young player Luke Saville must now rely on the goodwill of tennis selectors to play next month's Australian Open.

A hamstring injury forced the top seed to pull out of Friday's wildcard playoff semi-final against defending champion Jordan Thompson.

Saville has to hope for one of the four discretionary wildcards awarded by Tennis Australia or win three qualifying round matches to get a place in the 128-player main singles draw for the Open at Melbourne Park from January 19-February 1.

The 20-year-old South Australian, who qualified for Wimbledon and reached the second round, had treatment for hamstring soreness during his quarter-final win. And he has decided not to risk further damage that would jeopardy his summer tournament plans.

It's a lucky break for Thompson who won the wildcard playoff 12 months ago. The NSW player is automatically through to a second consecutive playoff final to await the winner of an all-Queensland semi-final between second seed John-Patrick Smith and last year's runner-up Ben Mitchell.

Russian-born Arina Rodionova stayed behind for homework on an outside court at Melbourne Park yesterday after her 6-4 6-3 quarter-final win against Queenslander Olivia Tjandramulia.

Rodionova, who lost to Casey Dellacqua in last year's playoff final, sat with boyfriend, Richmond forward Ty Vickery, to watch the opening games of the last quarter-final between 16-year-olds, Maddison Inglis of WA and Naiktha Bains of Queensland.

"I don't think I've ever seen the girls actually play, so I might watch and see what they're doing a little bit," Rodionova said.

Top seed Olivia Rogowska must temporarily cast aside her friendship with Daria Gavrilova, another Russian-born resident, as they prepare to battle for a place in the final.

The pair were teammates with Bayside Thunder that recently triumphed in the southern conference of the Asia-Pacific tennis league.

Rogowska beat Canberra's Alison Bai 6-4 6-4 to reach the semi-finals and Gavrilova, the third seed, downed Abbie Myers of NSW 6-1 6-2.

Gavrilova, a member of Tennis Australia's squad who hopes to gain citizenship in 2015, is continuing her comeback that she started midyear after a knee reconstruction operation.

The 20-year-old, who reached the 2013 Australian Open second round as a qualifier, lost in three-sets to Rogowska at a tournament in Bendigo two years ago at their only previous meeting.

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