Chappell to stay till 2nd Test

Australia’s assistant coach refuses to take credit for Ricky Ponting’s first century in India, says the skipper worked hard ahead of the tour

BANGLORE: Greg Chappell, it seems, is here to stay longer than expected. The former India coach, whose presence in the Australian camp has already created ripples in India, was to leave for home after the Bangalore Test. But one learns that Guru Greg is not going anywhere, at least in the immediate future.

Australian camp is not willing to disclose if Chappell will travel with the team for all the four Tests, but they confirmed that he is not going back after the Bangalore Test, as per the original plan. “He will be with the team for the second Test,” said a spokesman of the Australian team. “I don’t know after that. He may leave soon after the Mohali Test because he has other work back home. But I can’t confirm,” the spokesman added.

Chappell’s presence has been of ‘immense’ help for the Australians, particularly to skipper Ricky Ponting, who ended a torrid run on Indian wickets with a fluent century for the visitors on Thursday. Ponting also sang paeans on the former Australian skipper calling him a ‘great acquisition’ for the side. “He has been a great batting coach. We’ve been working for some time now on how to play in India,” Ponting said after his century.

But Chappell himself refused to take any credit for the Australian skipper’s knock saying it was Ponting’s own hard work. “I cannot claim any credit,” Chappell said when questioned about the secret behind Ponting’s new-found confidence against the Indian spinners. “It was all down to Ricky’s hard work. It was all in his mind. But I can’t take any credit. Coach is only as good as a player,” he added.

On Aussies’ preparation in general, Chappell strove to hammer home a point that he is in India just as assistant coach and it was Tim Neilsen who is in charge of the squad. “It’s Tim’s team and my role is limited. I’m happy being in the present position.”
Chappell also revealed that he was enjoying his new role as a director of the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane. “It is a happy and cool job,” he asserted. “I should be leaving after the Mohali Test as I have a job to do back home in Australia.”