During his four-and-a-half year stint as the first overseas coach of the Indian team, John Wright repeatedly displayed the art of getting the best out of net bowlers.
As much as he paid attention to the Indian cricketers, Wright used to always keep a close watch on the net bowlers. Especially during India's overseas assignments, Wright always interacted a lot with local bowlers and their coaches to get useful inputs about conditions.
Monday proved that the successful coach, whose India stint ended early in 2005, hasn't lost the knack. As the New Zealand batsmen were practicing in the nets, Wright - who accepted his home team's coaching responsibility - not only spent a lot of time with the future Muralis from Kandy but also invited a budding coach to advise some of the stars in the Kiwi batting line-up.
The coach, who was later joined by Sunil Fernando-Muttiah Muralitharan's coach - in the nets, was seen giving batting tips to the McCullum brothers and Jesse Ryder.
No wonder, the coach and his wards were rewarded, not just with Kiwi T-shirts but also with a bundle of complimentary tickets to witness the maiden international tie at the newly built stadium.