New Delhi: Former India cricket coach Gary Kirsten believes that the tour of Australia had helped the defending champions to get acclimatised to the World Cup conditions. India spent two-and-a-half months in the Australian summer, playing four Tests and a tri-series involving hosts Australia and England. The South African, however, feels the time spent there will aid India in defending the crown. “I would like to think that the time spent there will come as an advantage. You’re getting two and a half months of game time in those conditions. It has got to help your game,” Kirsten, who guided India to the 2011 World Cup said. “The only thing is time away from home and that is also a factor you cannot discount. It isn't easy travelling like that. But to have a chance to kind of play all your cricket where the World Cup is going to be held has got to be quite an advantage, surely,” said the 47-year-old. But doesn't spending so much time away from home bring on fatigueIJ “Mental fatigue may be. They could freshen up and see their families but not physical fatigue. We are in the professional era and you have got to manage that,” said Kirsten.
Don't need psychologists: Domingo
Melbourne: Unruffled by the ‘chokers' tag given to South Africa for their tendency to crumble under pressure, coach Russell Domingo said his team does not need a sports psychologist as good skill-sets will be enough for the players to handle crunch situations. “In my year-and-half as a coach, we haven't had a psychologist for the past 8-9 months. I wouldn't say we’ve had psychologists travelling with us all this time. Paddy (Upton) was more of a life-coach. He was not qualified sports psychologist as such,” Domingo said ahead of his team's World Cup match against India on Sunday. “I am a firm believer in having proper skills. I believe that if you have your skills, you will be in a mentally good space to execute under pressure. It can never be the other way round. You can be mentally strong and have bad skills but that won't get you success,” said the 40-year-old. “The thing that you need to be mentally strong is good skill-set. If we can do the good things with bat, ball and on the field continuously, I believe we will come good in tough situations.”
‘SA feel confident’
Melbourne: South African batsman JP Duminy said on Thursday the Proteas are brimming with confidence after their 62-run win over Zimbabwe and are ready to take on depending champions India on Sunday. Duminy admitted he was under pressure when they were reduced to 83/4 against Zimbabwe, but ultimately fashioned a stunning turnaround with David Miller, to come out on top. “I thoroughly enjoyed it. I guess we don't want to find ourselves in that position again, especially in the knock-out stages, but it's good to get an innings like that under the belt,” Duminy was quoted as saying by timeslive.co.za.