ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the emergence of technocratic ideas in the cricket world – ideas, that’s to say, of the game as an area of expertise. It focuses on the emergence to greater prominence of the cricket coach. Retired Indian spin bowler Bishan Bedi was outspoken in defence of the old order: at the Wisden International Awards of 2003 he was asked to present a special achievement award for the Australian team to John Buchanan. Greg Chappell, former captain of Australia and a member of that country’s first cricketing family, was appointed coach to the Indian cricket team in May of 2005. The presence of eminent ex-cricketers in the coaching and commentating market sometimes made for friction with the coaches who had never played cricket at a high level: they threatened the credibility of ex-Test captains as consultants.
