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Backstage with the Proteas

"Why didn't you pick Nanti (Mornantau Hayward) for the Test game? Had he played, our boys would have been out for less than 100!"

Says who? A former national team player. Former manager. And now, an esteemed selector.

What could be more appalling? This is one of five guys paid to pick a winning combination. And his opinion -- freely expressed, in the above words, to a member of the South African team, is that he has picked a bunch of losers.

If that is the best he can say about a team that he helped to pick, should he continue to be a selector, and enjoy the perks and privileges thereof?

And there's more to it. One of the Jhonnies in charge of pitch preparation, at the Wankhede, went out of his way to inform the South African team management that the wicket was a good one till the Indian think-tank had every blade of grass cut from it.

I wonder if the Indians get this kind of feedback when they go touring?

A week spent with the with the South African team has in fact been an eye-opener of sorts for me.

The closer you get to the action, the more aware you are, of the immense chasm between the two sides with respect to preparation, mental toughness, planning and strategizing. Take for example the two team meetings before the first Test. The South Africans stay focussed, discuss each opposing bowler and batsman in detail and the discussions go on during the course of the game.

And the Indians? "It doesn't feel like one is in a team dressing room. The so-called stars do their own thing, with very little interaction with the rest of us. There is no planning, nothing at all. Not once did any of the senior players throw us any pointers about the opponents," says a junior member of the squad.

The Proteas meanwhile have two members of the support staff videotaping each day's play, in depth. At the end of the day, the coach runs through the tape, pointing out each error, making suggestions, fine-tuning his machinery in tandem with his captain.

Where is that digital camera of yours, Paaji?

No point in asking -- Paaji is sulking. He won't speak to the media, but suggests we talk to Lele and Borde.

Maybe the Indian coach has reason to be miffed with those two gentlemen. But why take it out on us members of the media? Or is it a case of kick whoever you can, because the people you are angry with are too big for you to touch?

Speaking to Dr Moodely, the South African team doctor, gave me an insight into the clear vision all concerned have for South African cricket -- it is a vision you cannot help but envy, as you contrast it to the clueless ways of the BCCI.

Dr Moodely has played provincial cricket, and his knowledge of the game is vast. He came up with some radical ideas for Indian cricket, if it wanted to become a force to reckon with.

The South Africa-based Indian doctor believes that the BCCI should pick 10 good physiotherapists from the various medical hospitals in India, then send them to Australia for training in the Sports Medicine Institute. They can them come back with knowledge to impart at the state level. A culture of physical fitness will thus be instituted from the grassroots level on up, he points out.

"South Africa is a team without superstars," Dr Moodely argues. "Drop Donald and Pollock and the team looks bloody shaky. It is the discipline and focus that makes a difference to this squad. Fitness is of prime importance in this side. Take any of my players, and I bet my money that you will not find 1% of fat on them. Donald is 33 but his physique is excellent. I would go to the extent of calling them perfectly oiled machines, ready for action."

"South Africa only makes an excellent outfit because they are fine tuned and highly disciplined. The South Africans play disciplined cricket, field well, take their catches and don't give an inch. Then all it takes is one fine performance from any of the players, either batter or bowler, and the overall impact is lifted even higher. But yes, they still need to graduate to that one extra level which ensures they will not crack in the final moments," he adds.

It seems that the Proteas have a specialist appointed by the board for each part of the human anatomy. So when any player develops a problem, he is sent to the specialist concerned. Who, after due diagnosis, sends a note to the board detailing the conditions. And that ruling sttands. Period. The board does not over-rule it, secretaries don't have their own say. The philosophy is simple -- appoint specialists, paid specialists, for every single aspect of the game, then leave them alone to do their jobs.

Makes you wish, doesn't it?

Friday afternoon is that time of the week when all else takes the back seat for the devout Muslim.

With South Africa losing three wickets for less than 100 runs, the team management was a worried lot, their fears about the wicket coming alive.

Manager Ghulam Rajah and convener of the selectors, Rushdie Magiet, strode out of the stadium, with yours truly for company, to offer their Friday namaz to the Almighty.

As our car whistled past Flora Fountain towards the mosque with attendant police escort, the two were still discussing the outcome of the game.

The sight of a gun-wielding cop always arouses a lot of curiosity. People crowded around the Maruti Esteem when we reached the mosque, wondering which pesonality was at the mosque to offer Salat. The drive back was hell -- the sense of urgency the cop showed in getting the duo back to the stadium being the cause. Jumping red lights, overtaking cars as if he was in a Grand Prix final lap, the driver with the police escort in tow got us back to the stadium in five minutes flat.

"This man is in such a rush, he seems to think I am supposed to pad up and go out to bat next," joked Ghulam Rajah.