The games men play

Warm-up is spread over four 'stations', set up at four different parts of the ground. The players are split into four groups, and each group spends 10 minutes at each station.

One such station is called 'Cat and Mouse' -- wherein two players chase each other around five coloured cones, placed at a distance from one another.

Each cone has a cavity on top, and the players are expected to place a tennis ball on each cone, as they dodge past, and catch the other guy before he places his ball on his cone. It is an exercise that entails quick changes of direction, and is designed to build agility and help with running between wickets.

There are other stations, like 'speed ladders' which is designed to increase fleetness of feet, another one which focuses on abdominal conditioning, and individual soccer. "The guys love soccer but I don't let them play it as a group," says Leipus. "It is too much of a risk, the last thing we need is sprained ankles and groins, it is not worth it," he adds.

There is only one rule -- no shirking. Leipus keeps a careful eye on his wards -- and John Wright jogs from one station to another, exhorting,pushing. 'C'mon, Raj, work harder, push harder,' he exhorts Venkatapathy Raju. Who grins at him and redoubles his efforts.

They go a long way back, Wright and Raju. Eleven years ago almost to the day, Raju -- then a 21-year-old debutant -- got through Wright's defences at Christchurch. The Kiwi opener was batting 185 at the time, and missed the chance to score a double hundred. And he never ever, during his playing career, got close to a double ton again.

Work is a four-letter word