Dav Whatmore warms up for India and New Zealand

Dav Whatmore

July 1, 2001

Dav Whatmore National Coach

The base fitness of the players has now been established, so we have been focusing more on specifics and working hard on individual skills.

This two-month break in Sri Lanka's international commitments allows us to analyse the techniques of the players and provides us with sufficient time to iron out any technical shortcomings that are identified.

This is usually a case of fine-tuning, rather than major corrective surgery. The players that have reached the national squad invariably have a fundamentally sound technique, so we rarely need work on the basics, though, of course, they remain vital to a player's continued success.

We are working at the margins, aiming to increase the productivity of each player - making sure that we maximise the potential of the team. The productivity increases may be small but they may be the difference between success and failure.

Thus, for example, Owen Mottau and I have been working with some of the batsmen on getting into the best position to assess the line and length of the ball, paying particular attention to the initial foot movement, or what we call the 'adjustment step.'

Another aspect of our game that has been analysed is playing on the leg side. This is an area with a high potential for run scoring, but some find the leg stump awkward because of the lack of room. We have therefore looked at some technical refinements, all aimed at increasing the efficiency with which batsmen score runs in that area.

These technical adjustments have been made, so it's now a matter of ingraining them through continual assessment. The players too have to get used to the changes. Indeed, in the short term, or what we call the transition period, the players may struggle in the middle - hence why you need a break in the international calendar.

The bowlers too have been working hard: the fast bowlers with Rumesh Ratnayake and the spin bowlers with Lalith Kaluperuma.

The fast bowlers benefited greatly from the visit of Terry Oliver from Australia a few weeks ago, who carried out an in depth video analysis of each bowlers action, which helped us to clearly identify technical faults and areas for improvement.

Like the batting, we are looking to boost productivity and Rumesh has been working hard on what we call 'straight lines' - making sure that the head, arms and hips are all flowing in the same direction. This ensures that the ball is propelled with maximum efficiency, allowing the bowler to bowl longer with the same accuracy.

Lalith has added his expertise to the spinners during the training sessions. Once a week he also has been having a specialist session with the individuals; using video analysis to identify areas for improvement and monitor progress.

Next week we travel to Dambulla for a three-day training camp. This will focus minds on the approaching tournament and provide us with valuable time to discuss various issues and tactics in the evenings. Thus, for example, Lalith will sit with the spinners to facilitate a group discussion about the best field placing and tactical options available to us over the coming few weeks. The fast bowlers and batsmen will have similar group discussions.

The training camp will also provide a valuable opportunity to get used to conditions in Dambulla. We have only played there once, so the more match practice we can have the better. Every ground has different characteristics and a detailed understanding of the pitch, outfield, and general climate will be invaluable.

During the first two days individual and group net sessions on the square will be interspersed with plenty of fielding drills. Then, on the final day, we will play a full 50 over game, something that will be repeated upon our return to Colombo.

All of the above should give us the best possible chance of winning the upcoming triangular and sets us up well for a busy international schedule during the next 12 months. We are looking forward with confidence to the challenges ahead.

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