Fitness to take precedence, says Nobbs
BANGALORE: The finalization of the 18-member squad for the Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China, will not depend on the collective insight of the national selection committee alone. It will hinge a lot on the inputs which exercise physiologist David John provides.
With quite a few injuries in the team, skill alone may not be the criterion which may please the think-tank during the selection trials at MEG on August 13 and 14.
John, who is in Australia to get his work permit, will be relied upon by chief coach Michael Nobbs to tell him who would be the fittest of the lot to make the squad.
“The selectors’ work is going to be difficult as there are a few injuries in the team. We will have to wait for the report from David John on the extent of the injuries and the rehabilitation time,” Nobbs said.
“It would be nice if he were here, I am hoping John will be here by Friday. Or I will have to consult him over phone as his counsel his vital before we decide on who can be selected for the Asian Champions Trophy.”
Nobbs felt the trials would be important in more ways than one.
About the focus in the second camp, Nobbs said: “We will develop our pattern of play, the press situations as well as attacking and defending penalty corners. Obviously, the emphasis on fitness will be high. It is a difficult balance between fitness and skills and so we will focus on getting our fitness levels up.”