Live ups and downs of international cricket with team, says SL coach Arthur
Oct 16, 2021
Dubai [UAE], October 16 : Sri Lanka Cricket coach, Mickey Arthur said that he lives the ups and downs of international cricket almost alongside his players.
Touted as a coach throughout his playing days, Arthur has always exhibited the virtues of the profession.
Speaking to the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of the Men's T20 World Cup, a buoyant Arthur showed no sign of changing during Sri Lanka's campaign.
"I love the passion. I love the intensity of it. I love riding that emotional wave. Some people say coaches should be Stoney-faced and just sit there. It's not my character. I can't do that. I love the journey. I love the drive," said Arthur.
The Sri Lankan job is Arthur's fourth international role across a 16-year international coaching career, a span now longer than his time as a professional player.
Compiling over 10,000 runs across South African domestic cricket and representing South Africa A, Arthur transitioned to coaching younger than most. Early domestic success followed, and an offer to coach South Africa was forthcoming.
"I think first of all you've got to understand it's about the players. The environment is about the players and you're there to create that environment for them. And then, every player is different, and you've got to treat every player different," he said.
"There's not a one-size-fits-all here in this job and you've got to get in and have that connection with every one of your players in order to get the best out of them," he added.
Sri Lanka will be facing Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2021 on Monday.
