Dav Whatmore: We are saving our best for the biggest games

Dav Whatmore

August 8, 2001

Dav Whatmore National Coach

In fact, it is no coincidence that we are winning crucial one-day encounters. Sri Lanka won the final because our players were able to cope with the extra pressure of the occasion. Amidst all the hype and in front of a sell-out crowd we remained focused on the cricket.

When you play finals its important to remember that essentially it's still a game of cricket. You have to continue to do the things that got you to the final. Instead on focusing on the result or the occasion you have to get to grips with the basic processes that create success.

Thus, we have a saying that "you cannot cope with pressure by focusing on pressure." We focus instead on the basics. In this case, on the need to avoid run outs and reduce extras.

Sounds simple, but its not. The ability to absorb pressure and channel ones energies on the cricket is a skill that cannot be picked up overnight. That' s why I'm so pleased that this side appears to be getting to grips with it.

India, on the other hand, are the opposite. Their recent record in finals has been poor - this was the eighth final that they have lost in succession. We were well aware of this track record and realised that they could struggle if we grabbed the initiative right from the beginning.

Even so, we were well aware that they were coming into the final after three wins in a row. The magnificent innings of Virender Shewag against New Zealand showed just how dangerous they could be.

In the field they looked edgy after the fine start made by Sanath Jayasuriya and Avishka Gunawardene and we controlled the game thereafter.

Chasing 295 was never going to be easy - the highest score ever chased successfully at Premadasa was 243. Nevertheless, we all saw Shewag's 69-ball hundred and have the utmost respect for the other Indian batsmen.

It's very difficult though chasing a large score. Sometimes the pressure on you to score quickly creates dangerous expectations. You feel that boundaries are necessary and forget the basics. In essence, you start running before you can walk.

We made a dream start with Russel Arnold running out Shewag in the second over and Sourav Ganguly cutting straight to backward point next ball. After that we put the ball in the right places and caught our catches.

Our first goal in the tournament had been to reach the final and we had the advantage of securing a place early on. Although you obviously want to win all the games there is no doubt that the players can relax a little when you qualify early. You are also protected against a dip in form or provided with an opportunity to try different players.

India, however, had their backs to the wall after three successive defeats. They had three difficult games, with the last one being a very tough semi-final that must have been mentally exhausting. With just two days left to recover for the final they may not have had enough petrol in the tank.

Looking back over the entire tournament the highlight for me, apart from some outstanding individual performances, was the success of the three fast bowler-six batsmen policy, which we used throughout. The new formation, however, still needs fine tuning, as we need to work out how to use it the extra seamer most effectively.

Finally, the performance of New Zealand deserves a special mention. I though they were very unlucky, as they acclimatised to the tropical conditions quickly and played some very good one-day cricket. With Chris Cairns waiting in the wings they have the makings of a very impressive side.

Time now to turn our minds to the forthcoming Test series against India. It' s going to be tough with three games in just 20 days, but lets hope we can replicate our Coca-Cola Cup success.

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