Similar strokes, similar blokes

AB has been the best batsman in ODI cricket over the last couple of years. McCullum has probably been the best captain in the recent past.

It was the fifth of June 2009, a pleasant Durban night and an utterly disconsolate Brendon McCullum was moving away from the shadows of his dugout when his coach John Buchanan suddenly stood up and came over to put a hand over the shoulder. An avuncular gesture as if he was comforting his nephew in grief. It was the IPL in South Africa, and McCullum, this swaggering tattooed star was slowly turning into an emotional wreck in that tournament after his team KKR stumbled from one loss to another. It was a very vulnerable time for this man, who if he walks on water now, the people might just shrug and say, ‘Ah it’s Brendon. Of course he can’.

On December 26, 2005, in a Boxing Day Test at Sydney, AB de Villiers ran up to congratulate Ricky Ponting, who was walking back after a hundred, during a break. He tapped Ponting on the shoulder and said his piece. Ponting looked at him, shook his head and turned away in a dismissive way. “I felt like an idiot as I walked away,” but Glenn McGrath ran up to de Villiers and told him not to worry too much. “I have no problem with Ponting.

He was probably focussed on his game and ignored me. I don’t hold it against him. But yes, it did motivate me,” he recalled years later in an interview. It was one of the days that helped the boy to grow up to a man. Now, no one in the opposition will dare to do anything like that to this most recognisable star from South Africa.

Every time I watch McCullum these days at the presser, laughing casually, bantering with the local journalists, answering tough questions with an easy confident shrug of shoulders, the mind goes back to that IPL. Such a wild contrast. Not kidding or exaggerating but back then he really looked as if he could use a comfort hug. Drooping shoulders at the presser, emotional mutterings and a sense of resignation about him – “I have found it difficult to deliver messages to the team without having individual performances to stack up,” he said then. You need to be a leader of men, and not just a captain, to inspire a team even when you are failing in the individual capacity. Most of us can’t do it; McCullum couldn’t do it then, and now, even though he hasn’t been tested on that ability as he’s been starring as a batsman, but it won’t be a surprise if he does it.

To be hailed as the most courageous captain, the most daring of them all, by your countrymen must be a great high. Stephen Fleming put it best when asked about this side of McCullum. “Look, to place three or four slips in an ODI is one thing —it does take courage but to convince your entire team that this is the way to go is entirely different matter.” McCullum has done that. He has managed to inspire his men, and has this sense of ownership about this team.

That’s his greatest achievement. To convince his team of his philosophy, to not to have to drag his men but help them flow along his aggressive brand of cricket. Credit to the team-members of course but somehow it’s not difficult to see this side be mellower under the helm of a different man. Whatever happens on Tuesday, McCullum will go down in the history of New Zealand cricket as the man who has engineered something special, an attitudinal transformation that can only be contagious.

Best, yet to come

AB de Villiers’ greatest achievement as captain is yet to happen. If this team wins on Tuesday, and manages to do something special on the 29th, then he will be celebrated in the sporting history of his country. The signs are good. He hasn’t been afraid to show his emotions. What this team doesn’t need is someone who bottles up, someone who refuses to acknowledge the vulnerable emotions. He openly talks about how he is dealing with the chokers tag, has sulked a bit after defeats, shown anger at his team-mates outside the field, gone on about how much he hates losing, about joy of winning as well, and also brave words like ‘No one can stop us’. A philosophy that might be rather unnecessary in some other team but such endearing baring of the soul, someone who goes with his guts might just be what this team needs.

He doesn’t fear from pushing the buttons of his team-mates. “I know what makes them tick, and I know what irritates them, as well. Sometimes it’s important to irritate them, to get the best out of them, as well. It’s a matter of reading the situation, trusting my gut, and I don’t think I’ll have to trust my gut too much tomorrow because I know the guys will be up for it.” Of course, he will have to. As would McCullum.

Two men, who have seen some lows in the past, but with so much to look forward to in the future. Even if New Zealand lose, McCullum might have just about already done enough to be hailed forever in this land. South Africa will have to win if AB de Villiers has to earn cult status back at home.

60% chance of rain

Auckland: Auckland’s weather is notoriously changeable and unpredictable and forecasts for Tuesday, and for the reserve day on Wednesday, have fluctuated in recent days. By Monday the chance of rain had grown to 60 percent and the official forecast was for scattered showers. The forecast for the reserve day is more favorable with warm temperatures and no mention of rain. If no play is possible on either day, the team that was ranked highest after pool play will progress. That means that New Zealand will advance. (AP)

Source:: Indian Express