An Aussie fitness expert's take on what works for young cricketers

"In the past it was true that cricketers from India were behind cricketers from other parts of the world," began Troy Cooley. And you better believe him. Appointed assistant coach at the Australian Cricket Academy in Australia early last year, Cooley is one of the most promising young coaches in Australia. Having worked extensively in his home state Tasmania, Cooley has served as the state's junior development officer, fitness advisor, pace bowling coach and under-17 coach. When Cooley quickly adds "That certainly is not the case any more. I can see a marked improvement in the Test results this year with regard to fitness," you can't doubt him. The tall, former Tasmanian fast bowler is not just a fitness expert, but a fitness maniac too.

When he walked into the gymnasium at the Madras Cricket Club carrying a large 'Swiss ball,' the kind only used for fitness drills as callously as Michael Jordan would palm a basketball, people knew instantly this was not your run of the mill fitness coach. "When we Test someone for physical fitness, we administer a fairly standard test. The things we're looking for are speed, fitness, agility, power and some aerobic tests," Cooley explains. "The test we administered here at MRF is the same one we use back home in the academy in Australia," said Cooley, confirming that the gap in fitness levels between Indian and Australian cricketers was indeed closing.

In the enthusiasm to improve fitness in a hurry, it's not unheard of for a player to overdo things, resulting in permanent damage. Cooley is keen to caution against that. "In the Australian system we have a prescribed or recommended work load for young fast bowlers. I feel it's important for any growing body to be built up with care. If you are not extra careful in that phase, injuries will result in later years." Young fast bowlers had better take notice. It's not for nothing that Cooley was hailed in his hey day as one of the quickest in the Australian domestic championships.

Although Cooley's career statistics in first class cricket don't make impressive reading, it must be remembered that he was part of a Tasmanian side that was not the strongest in the world. Ending his career without a five wicket haul, Cooley might well have a lot of memories of toiling without success. Yet, the 1986-87 England tour of Australia gave Cooley a moment he might one day talk to his grandchildren about. Put in to bat on a 'sticky dog' Tasmania were instantly in trouble as Phil de Freitas, Neil Foster and Gladstone Small reduced the hosts to 36/7. Delaying the inevitable in a 37-run association with fellow medium pacer Richard Ellison, Cooley notched up 16. Not a major achievement by any means. Then again, it's probably the only time Cooley ever top scored for Tasmania! The fact that Tasmania managed just 79 in their first knock and lost the match by an innings is another story.

Cooley is not one to be surprised by the success of the Australians in producing a healthy pool of cricketers good enough to perform well at the highest level. "The manner in which former greats are involved with the game in some way or the other is heartening. This has happened across the board and that's a major strength of Australian cricket. You have people like Terry Jenner, Ashley Mallett and Ian Chappell involved in the game and it speaks well for the cricket culture in the country."

But surely having a well established system is no guarantee of success at the highest level? Take a look at the current England team who have lost 10 limited overs matches on the trot. Despite having probably the oldest domestic one-day competition in place, they're struggling to win a game. There must be something else behind Australia's success? "It's the Australian way, mate," grins Cooley.