Ex-Victorian keeper Berry, a good choice for Oz coach: Roebuck

SYDNEY - With Cricket Australia conducting a review on many fronts in the wake of the Ashes series defeat to England during the recent summer, noted columnist Peter Roebuck said the cricket board should consider acquiring the services of former wicket keeper and Rajasthan Royals honcho Darren Berry, given his handy cricketing management skills.

In an article for the Sydney Morning Herald, Roebuck said: “Australia ought to forget about his (Berry’s) tongue, and embrace his talent.”

Berry, who is now a coach and a columnist for The Age, is a rough diamond waiting to be cut, says Roebuck.

According to Roebuck, Berry has made the Rajasthan Royals team a force to reckon with in the Indian Premier League. He says they were no-hopers during the 2007 inaugural event, and came from behind to win the title.

That being said, Roebuck also says that while Berry is aware of skipper Shane Warne’s abilities as a motivator, team leader and performer, he is not blind to the latter’s drawbacks.

He has spent his time scouring India and Australia for gifted youngsters.

Berry coaches South Australia in the Big Bash campaign, and he has succeeded in bringing an unknown off-spinner like Nathan Lyon to the forefront of Australian first class cricket.

He has belief in youngsters like Pat Cummins, Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger and Daniel Christian.

He also tells them where they can get off if they are undisciplined. Plainly, Berry has a lot to offer, Roebuck concludes. (ANI)