Team India’s men behind the scenes: Trevor Penney and Joe Dawes

Duncan Fletcher (L) and bowling coach Joe Dawes during a team training session

The Queenslander is an ex-policeman who has been used to handling situations far more important (catching criminals) than getting bowlers to bowl lengths that suit their style of bowling. According to him, being a cop brought perspective to his life, and he enjoys his cricket more because of that. Appointed as the bowling coach of the Indian team in February 2012 to replace Eric Simmons, Dawes joined as a relative unknown in the international circuit.

Known for his penchant for fitness and intensity, Dawes would have known about the magnitude of task ahead of him when he took the position. None of the fast bowlers who were part of the 2011 World Cup squad are even in the frame of being selected for the national side at present. Fitness issues are known to be a common problem for Indian pacers, be it Zaheer, Nehra, Munaf or Pathan. Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav, who played in the Champions Trophy, have a history of injuries as well. Maintaining the fitness regime of the fast bowlers and keeping them injury-free, while not compromising on pace and accuracy is the main task for Dawes.

The fast bowling on display at the Champions Trophy showed that the work done by him is on the right track and should be encouraged and supported in the future as well. People close to him say that he’s a person who likes being given some freedom to carry out his work in his style, and the results suggest that he does deserve it from the Indian selectors.

Bhuvneshwar bowled with a good line & was economical, taking key wickets of openers in most matches. Umesh bowled at good pace and Ishant was effective too, with both taking important wickets. The spinners, Ashwin & Jadeja, took full advantage of the good work done by the pacers to take India to victory.

Just like Penney, Dawes’ role will be crucial in the preparation for the next World Cup, and he’ll have to develop a large pool of fast bowlers for the team, who manage the fitness, pace and accuracy aspects of their game properly.

Conclusion

Though neither Penney nor Dawes have played international cricket, they have the cricketing acumen to contribute significantly to the Indian cricket team, which was seen at the Champions Trophy victory. Having worked together at Queensland before, they both form a great support team to Duncan Fletcher and their work is appreciated by the Indian team players and reflected in the performances on the field.

The Indian cricket team’s quest to defend its World Cup title at Australia/New Zealand in 2015 will be best served if these two behind-the-scenes men are allowed to continue their good work and supported properly by the Indian selectors.