For first time ever, Indian cricket team has all-professional support staff

For the first time ever, the Indian cricket team has an all-professional support staff. Coach John Wright from New Zealand, physiotherapist Andrew Leipus, 32, Australian-born but based in South Africa, and the latest entrant, trainer Adrian Le Roux, 30, a native South African. It upsets those who believe in be Indian, try Indian but shopping overseas for the best professional help is routine. The Indians began three years ago by hiring an Australian physiotherapist Andrew Kokinos.Le Roux's arrival has completed the picture. The Indians credit the Leipus-Le Roux duo for increased fitness, fewer injuries and better injury management. Leipus, from the reputed Rosebank clinic in Johannesburg which specialises in sports injuries, signed on in late 1999 as successor to Kokinos. He discovered that the job of Indian physiotherapist was not restricted to injuries and rehabilitation but also included supervising training and conducting fielding practice. RARE FINDS: Leipus (above right) and Le Roux (left) are considered the best Wright's arrival within a year meant that specialist fielding practice was off his roster but the New Zealander's emphasis on greater fitness and fielding increased the physical demands on the players. A spate of injuries during a hectic 2001-2 season led BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya to demand an explanation for the breakdowns, which Wright and Leipus provided in lengthy explanatory letters. During the home series against England, Wright asked Dalmiya to sign on a specialist physical trainer, so as to let Leipus concentrate on the full-time job of injury management.Le Roux, one of four candidates interviewed for the job, signed on in March. As trainer with the Free State provincial cricket team, he worked with Allan Donald and Hansie Cronje, among others, and had conducted session with the Indians during their South African tour. Le Roux, who was once asked whether greater fitness could make a spinner turn his leg-break more, has devised new training drills for the entire team.Every cricketer is required to spend a specific number of gym sessions per week under his supervision, with reports going to Wright and Dalmiya. Senior pro Anil Kumble, who made a comeback after a shoulder surgery, says, "Andrew and Adrian are hands-on cricket-specific professionals in their own fields. It's rare to find people like them."Wright believes they should be in for the long haul. "I don't know what will happen to me. That depends on the World Cup, but I hope the BCCI is wise enough to sign both these two boys for the next two years. I see other teams and I see other operators and I'm pleased with the two I've got. They are world-class."Published By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 18, 2002 00:00 IST--- ENDS ---

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For first time ever, Indian cricket team has all-professional support staff

For the first time ever, the Indian cricket team has an all-professional support staff. Coach John Wright from New Zealand, physiotherapist Andrew Leipus, 32, Australian-born but based in South Africa, and the latest entrant, trainer Adrian Le Roux, 30, a native South African.

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