Ponting lavishes praise on Aussie guru Chappell
Posted on Oct 11, 2008 at 11:58 | Updated Oct 11, 2008 at 12:05
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Bangalore: Ricky Ponting has praised the coaching work of former Test great Greg Chappell in helping the Australian team adjust to the demands of batting in Indian conditions.
The Australian skipper overcame his Indian demons to compile his 36th century in the opening match of the Test series at Bangalore on Thursday. Ponting's flawless 123 took him to sixth on the list of all-time run scorers with 10,222 in 120 Tests, passing India's Sunil Gavaskar and just three Test centuries behind record holder Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 39.
He had averaged just 12.27 in eight previous Tests in India Chappell, who quit as India coach last year after the team's first round World Cup exit, is touring with the Australian team as their assistant coach.
Chappell played a role in helping Ponting prepare for what he believes was one of his most significant innings.
"It's no rocket science, but Greg was obviously a great player and understands the technique of batting very, very well. He's a very, very good batting coach," Ponting told The Australian newspaper Saturday.
"I think all of us over the last couple of weeks have had opportunities to sit down with him to talk about our games and how we can best adapt them to these conditions."
"He's been a great acquisition to our side already and his role back in Australia (as head of the Centre of Excellence) will hopefully allow him to spend a lot more time with us in coming series," he added.
Chappell said he spoke to the players about technique but mostly about making sure they developed a plan.
"Batting's like life. It's about having a plan," Chappell said.
"Ricky's very generous giving me any credit. He's the one who had to go out there and get the runs. He batted exceptionally well.
"Whenever he's made runs he's had a pretty simple plan. He stuck to it and he got the rewards."
"A hundred on the first day of the first Test makes a big statement as captain, particularly a captain who people were trying to put under pressure," he added.
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