INTRODUCTION
by Sir Donald Bradman,
A.
C.
This
manual has, as its paramount objectives, the encouragement of the
game of cricket, greater enjoyment for those who play, greater knowledge for
the contestants and above all, information through which may come the
development of coaches throughout the land.
There
is no high and mighty Purpose to develop test match stars, though if they come
as a by-product everyone will be delighted. We
are constantly reminded that enjoyment and purpose are
more important than stardom.
Only
one tennis player can win the Wimbledon tennis title each year and on him the
accolade and glory are bestowed. But without the myriad of tributaries which
feed Wimbledon, it would not exist.
And
so, with cricket where, it being more of a team sport than tennis. There is
even greater emphasis on the thousands of ordinary people who feed and nourish
this great game whose ultimate exposure comes through the international Test matches.
How
important is coaching? Let us get this into proper perspective at once. The
greatest Test match players in history were not made great by coaching. You may
check the careers of the noblest from
Dr.WG
Grace to Sir Jack Hobbs, Denis Compton, Bill o Relly and so on. The story is
the same. They rose to eminence through sheer natural skill, allied to adherence
to the basic fundamentals, and personal qualities. Poly, Bish, Pras, Sony &
Sachin are also in the above category.
To
their credit I commend the producers of this Manual for repeatedly stressing
that their aim is primarily the developing of the cricket art and the coaches
to further that aim, and for taking pains to clarify the necessity for coaches
to give young players the maximum freedom o expression to develop their
individual talents. But before a budding genius can develop, he needs to possess
a love for and devotion for cricket. In the lay mind, coaching tends to be
looked upon its teaching orthodox methods, and, to a certain extent, that is
what coaching does. But the intelligent coach must go further and perceive the
dividing line between the straight jacket of orthodoxy and the freedom of
initiative. The hide-bound coach will teach his pupils always to playa straight
bat to a ball pitched on the stumps. The more venturesome and far seeing coach will
not tear his protege to ribbons if, from a similar ball, he essays a successful
pull shot to mid-wicket which necessitates risk-taking in departing from the straight
bat. The first instance will mostly ensure survival and no runs, but ultimate
boredom. The latter may bring disaster or four. But in the words of the poet:
“No game was ever
worth a
rap
For a rational man
to play
In which no accident no
mishap
Could possibly
find its way”.
I'm
aware that the analogy, is not precise, but my purpose is serve the game
of cricket has boundless possibilities for the creation. Of friendships,
for travel, for education and development of character.
One
aspect which I constantly advocate is the necessity to read about the game
through the unrivalled literature which is available in a score of directions.
A
whole new world of enjoyment can be opened up to those fortunate enough to
obtain these gems of literature which can be read and
re-
read and read again. We live in an age wherein the pressures of life are
severe, the temptations many, and leisure more abundant than ever before. It
becomes increasingly necessary for our youth to be occupied in health giving
relaxation with high ideals.
Not
sports can provide this better than cricket and I believe the National Cricket Coaching
Plan, with its theme of producing coaches, will continue to make a notable and
valuable contribution to the well-being of a very large section of our people. Adelaide
April, 1995
SIR DONALD BRADMAN
