I can handle superstars effectively: Whatmore

Dhaka, May 28 (UNI) While admitting that captains' are the boss of a team, probable Team India coach Dav Whatmore has expressed his ablity to handle superstars effectively.

In a 56-minute interaction with mediapersons here today, the Sri Lankan-born Aussie who is a hot contender for the 'pot boiler' post of India's cricket coach, gave an outline of his thoughts on handling the Indian superstars and their varying egos.

''Definitely, captain is the boss. He is in-charge of the team,'' he said.

''Part of the coaches' job is to be able to communicate differently with all sorts of players with the single aim of enabling the team to win.'' ''The coach must be able to provide the right thing at the right time and at the right level,'' he added.

He also pointed out that the job of a coach was still evolving.

''It's the players who make a coach. They are the ones who have to go to the battlefield. The coach creates an environment where the best in the boys come out.'' The 53-year-old Aussie who led Sri Lanka to the World Cup triumph in 1996, however, feels that when it comes to defeat, the coach and the players jointly should share the responsibility.

''When a team wins, the players get the accolades. And so, when a team loses, everyone should share responsibility.'' When quzzed whether he favoured captain's say in team selection, Whatmore said, ''I had a vote in selection meetings in Banlgadesh.

But if you ask me whether I subscribe to that, I'll say I don't. It all depends on the situation in a particular country.'' Whatmore, however, refused to go further deep into the matter, saying it would not be proper for him to comment on it but seemed aware of former coach Greg Chappell's problems with superstars.

''When one goes into things one doesn't keep his eyes closed.

My eyes are open. But I don't want to comment on Greg's methods.

He is a fantastic person whom I personally know,'' he said.

UNI