espnstar.com catches up with South African coach Mickey Arthur after a reassuring win against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy.

By Pamela Datta

Q: Like the World Cup in 2003, South Africa had again lost the inaugural match while hosting a big tournament. But you bounced back in the second (against New Zealand).

Mickey Arthur: Yes, we lost the first one against Sri Lanka but we were hopeful of coming back. We knew it was just a bad day in the office and we should try and win these matches to be one of the top two teams in the Group. Now that we have won against New Zealand, we are on the right path. We need to win the last match, too.
 
Q: What went wrong in the first match for the number one ranked team?

MA: The Sri Lankans played really well. Tillekaratne Dilshan played an excellent innings and the run rate was well maintained throughout those 50 overs. To chase a 300-plus total under lights is always a problem. Ajantha Mendis bowled well and we lost quick wickets. Then the rain came. It was not our day.

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Q: Is playing in front of the home crowd an added pressure?

MA: May be, but it’s great to be playing at home. In front of your own supporters, it should always be a big plus and we are not complaining!
 
Q: You started the Champions Trophy as the number one ranked one day team.

MA: See, we were number one and it was clear to all of us that we had to maintain that. As they say, it’s tougher to retain the number one spot than reaching there. Our target is to try and stay there for as many days as possible. Unless you play consistently well over a period you cannot attain the top rank in the list.
 
Q: You lost one match and lost the number one spot went to India. The competition among the top teams is growing by the day.

MA: Yeah, but that’s good for the future of the game. There are three-four teams like India, Australia and Sri Lanka who can climb to the peak any day. There is not a lot of difference. So, there will be ups and downs. We don’t have to think about these things and continue to play the way we have been playing.
 
Q: You were the number one Test team, too, after the Aussies were beaten in the Ashes.

MA: But there never is a weak Australian side. They had retaliated immediately in the one day series and the Aussies are always dangerous opponents.
 
Q: What are the strong points of this South African outfit?

MA: The team is goal oriented. First we set a realistic goal and then we try to achieve it. You need to work really hard to reach the goal and we are never tired.
 
Q: You have been South African coach for the last four years now and Graeme Smith has been captain for the last six years. How’s the relationship between the captain and coach?

MA: We like to work towards the common goal of seeing South Africa at the top. We have a good relationship. Graeme is a good thinker of the game. We gelled well!

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