Me and Clarke had a great ride together: D'Costa

NAGPUR: It's official now. Australian captain Michael Clarke and his childhood coach Neil D'Costa have parted ways. They might have 25-year long association, but D'Costa says they have moved on and wished all the success to his ward.
It may be an emotional moment to others but not to D'Costa who is set for yet another challenge. "It wasn't emotional. We had a great ride together as a coach and player...so many successes... I cannot count them all. Life brings so many opportunities if your eyes and mind are open. Nothing went wrong. I just felt it was time for me to move on. With my time becoming more and more precious, I just had to make this decision," D'Costa, who was also the head coach of Vidarbha Cricket Association's Residential Academy from 2009 to 2011, told TOI on Tuesday.
After a two-year-stint with VCA, D'Costa has now taken up the coaching and development role at Sydney grade club Campbelltown-Camden and with the Camden District Cricket Association.
Last year, when Clarke took over the reigns of Australian team from Ricky Ponting, D'Costa had worked with him before the Sri Lankan Test series. Clarke has been the most successful Australian batsman in the last one year or so. He has been in the form of his life and was instrumental in the whitewash of India.
When asked what exactly they worked on in the batting department, D'Costa said, "We did some work on his hand skills, better bat positions as well as a new mental thought process. It really worked well. He looked in good touch throughout."
Clarke might be a thing of the past for D'Costa but his other two wards - Phil Huges and Nick Compton - are letting their bats do all the talking. Both are scoring runs and have been very successful for their respective English counties. "Both worked with me in Nagpur. I am so happy for these two guys, especially for Nick who is an unbelievable talent. If he believes in himself anything is possible. He can go distance. Nick can surely carry forward his grandfather's (Denis Compton) legacy. As for Philip, he has broken Bradman's record, that itself speaks a lot. He had a little technical problem which we ironed out after an intense eight-week programme," he said.
Last year, South African Mickey Arthur was appointed the first foreign coach for Australia. Australian coaches have been very successful with various international sides. Are Aussies struggling to find good coaches at first class and grass root level? D'Costa answered in the affirmative. "Not what anyone wants to hear, but we are really struggling. It's same with players and administrators. Money is also a problem," D'Costa said.