New Delhi, June 15: The South Africa cricket squad leaves home tonight for its England tour having apparently benefited from a pep-talk on media relations by former Indian captain Ravi Shastri in Johannesburg on Friday. "Ravi (Shastri) was helpful in trying to tell us what the players could expect from English media," said Graeme Smith, captain of the South African team, when contacted on phone.
Shastri, however, was tightlipped about disclosing anything about the open session he had with the South African squad because of the confidentiality clause in his agreement.
The savvy Shastri though was delighted at the opportunity afforded to him by the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) to use his broad base of working as a television commentator and media columnist.
Shastri came into the picture after Smith expressed his apprehension about media hounds in England, waiting with their poisoned pens to have a go at his men.
"We don't want a situation where we could be distracted (by off-field events)," said Smith who is leaving for his first major tour as captain.
Bureau Report