Ponting praises Chappell for his advices

Sydney, Oct 11 (UNI) Ricky Pointing has asserted that the former Test cricketer Greg Chappell played a great role in helping him score a century, what he believed was one of his most significant innings.

Pointing overcame his Indian demons and found his batting touch at the right time to compile his 36th century in the opening match of the Test series here on Thursday.

The right handed batsman's flawless 123 took him to sixth on the list of all-time run scorers with 10,222 in 120 Tests, passing India's Sunil Gavaskar and just three Test centuries behind record holder Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 39.

''It's no rocket science, but Greg was obviously a great player and understands the technique of batting very, very well. He's a very, very good batting coach,'' Ponting told The Australian newspaper today.

Former Indian coach is assisting the Australian team as an assistant to Tim Nielsen has helped the visiting team to adjust in Indian conditions and Pointing was full of praise for him.

''I think all of us over the last couple of weeks have had opportunities to sit down with him to talk about our games and how we can best adapt them to these conditions.

''He's been a great acquisition to our side already and his role back in Australia (as head of the Centre of Excellence) will hopefully allow him to spend a lot more time with us in coming series,'' he added.

Chappell, however, said he spoke to the players about technique but mostly about making sure they developed a plan.

''Batting's like life. It's about having a plan,'' Chappell said.

Chappell also stated that coaching is a relatively easy job in comparison of going on the field and perform.

''Ricky's very generous giving me any credit. He's the one who had to go out there and get the runs. He batted exceptionally well.

''Whenever he's made runs he's had a pretty simple plan. He stuck to it and he got the rewards. A hundred on the first day of the first Test makes a big statement as captain, particularly a captain who people were trying to put under pressure,'' he added.

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