More cricketers should bring their kids to nets, says Dean Jones

Sachin Tendulkar bowled to son Arjun for close to 30 minutes at the indoor nets here of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) yesterday. While a lot of journalists were familiar with the phenomenon that unfolded, an Australian former batting great couldn't get enough of it. He watched the entire session like a hawk. A little later, Arjun bowled his left-arm seamers to Virender Sehwag.

MiD DAY asked Jones if any of his teammates brought their son to the nets in the 1980s. "Geoff Marsh used to bring young Shaun to the nets. I've seen that kid evolve as a cricketer over the years. It was a beautiful thing that Geoff used to get the family on tour. We've known Shaun for so long. What's better than to know what it's like in such an atmosphere? I think more cricketers should bring their kids to the nets, it's an amazing trend."

"I think it's very important for the kids to talk to more cricketers. Forget about all the coaching he will receive in the future, just spending time with cricketers at the nets should give him so much to pick up from," added Jones.

Asked what he thought of young Arjun, Jones said: "Oh mate, if he can pick up 1/100th of his dad's skills, he should be alright. He was just telling me about scoring a hundred at a recent school match. Also, I heard he got eight wickets in a game. I am sure his father is tracking his progress very closely."

Jones was positive about India's chances to create history Down Under. "At this stage, only a fool would disagree that India start as favourites. I think Australia have accepted that and want to surprise them," he said.

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