Julian Fountain has worked with the Pakistan and Pakistan A teams as their fielding coach under both Pybus and Woolmer's coaching reigns.

Thanks to Salman for arranging this interview and a big thank you to Julian for taking the time out to answer the questions!

Julian Fountain has worked with the Pakistan and Pakistan A teams as their fielding coach under both Pybus and Woolmer's coaching reigns.

PakPassion.Net: Which group of players have been the easiest to work with?

Julian Fountain: I have worked with a wide variety of elite players from all around the world. Each country has its own good points and bad points, whether its facilities or organisational skills! I really enjoyed working in Pakistan as the Pakistani youngsters were really keen and willing to learn.


PakPassion.Net: What is the main reason for bad catchers from the sub continent? Are they afraid or too slow to react or do they panic or is it growing up playing with a softer ball?

Julian Fountain: Bad fielding & catching is usually down to a combination of things; lack of practice, poor technique or poor hand eye coordination. Pakistani players can field and catch, they just need a gentle shove in the right direction! Also fielding needs to become as high a priority as batting and bowling.


PakPassion.Net: Are Pakistani players diets as bad as we are led to believe? How do they differ to those of their Australian or South African counterparts?

Julian Fountain: Cultural differences mean preferences for different foods, so its just a question of balancing them all out and to train hard.


PakPassion.Net: In your career as a fielding coach is there any player who has exceeded your expectations as far as improving his fielding abilities is concerned?

Julian Fountain: Someone who sometimes takes a bad rap for fielding is Inzi, but I have seen him take some fantastic catches, dive full length for balls and hit the stumps direct so he cannot be that bad!


PakPassion.Net: As a baseball and cricket fielding coach do you feel that good fielding in baseball plays an even more major role than it does in cricket, with respect to the amount of runs scored in both games?

Julian Fountain: The big difference is that fielding is scored in baseball. Statistics play a huge part in selection so if you make mistakes it goes on your record. Cricket still only selects on 2 out of 3 disciplines!! Strange dont you think?


PakPassion.Net: Was there ever any language barriers when you coached Pakistani players?

Julian Fountain: Not really, most spoke reasonable English and i made an effort to learn some basic Urdu.


PakPassion.Net: Julien who is the most naturally fittest cricketer that you have ever worked with?

Julian Fountain: Fitness is such a broad subject; speed, agility, endurance, strength coordination etc etc. To play at the top level consistantly you have to demonstrate a reasonable level in all but some are better than others! Each nation requires differing levels of fitness i.e England players will all reach level 12 or above on the bleep, other nations can be a bit subjective according to a players status! Umar Gul is a good example of an athlete in cricket. Younis Khan is one of the keenest players i have worked with.


PakPassion.Net: Which pakistani player was the fittest and the best in fielding when you were around with the Pakistan team and which one was the least fit?

Julian Fountain: There are a few good ones but Umar Gul displays a lot of good techniques, also a few struggle but no names!


PakPassion.Net: Looking at Shoaib Akhtars current physique - do yu think that it is the physique of someone who can or cannot be relied upon to bowl 40 overs in a test match situation on a regular basis?

Julian Fountain: Fast bowlers are the hardest workers in cricket. They have to have high levels of strength, endurance, flexibility etc. The older you get the harder it becomes to remain fit and fight injury, so if he is to remain at the top of his game he will have to work harder the older he gets.


PakPassion.Net: It is generally accepted that the mental aspect of cricket is very important, so what mental attributes are importiant for being a good fielder?

Julian Fountain: Aggression, Aggression, Aggression! To be good in the field you have to be able to stay focused for each ball. By being aggressive and wanting to be involved in every ball it helps you concentrate and helps you deal with nerves!


PakPassion.Net: Is there an 'unofficial fielding coaches Union' of the world where you guys sit down and discuss fielding with your counterparts. Or is it a 'secret' profession where you guys prefer to keep your tactics to yourself.

Julian Fountain: Theres no union! But there are only a few of us who specialise in this dept. Unfortunately fielding is still a poor relation in cricket and the ability to get work is usually down to budgets. I made a point of remaining neutral and just focusing on the game, whilst others have self promoted better than me and are currently working at international level coaching the wrong techniques (No names!)


PakPassion.Net: Do you have videos of your fielding sessions? Like the masterclass videos of Jonty Rhodes.

Julian Fountain: There are no videos available at the moment but that might change.


PakPassion.Net: In fielding what is the first thing you like to teach or see a player/student doing?

Julian Fountain: Good pre shot movements and balance coupled with a good throw.


PakPassion.Net: What do you think of baseball coaches being employed as cricket fielding coaches?

Julian Fountain: Be wary of pure baseball coaches in cricket. I am unique in that I have a good level of experience playing and coaching both sports at a high level. You cannot just take baseball skills and teach them to cricketers as the techniques, tactics and games differ. Cricket can learn a lot from baseball across a wide range of subjects, but it must be put into context !


PakPassion.Net: Did you ever get a chance to work with Jondy Rhodes? If yes, how do you find him? Why was he so unique as far as fielding is concerned?

Julian Fountain: I never worked with him but have met him a few times. He exhibited all the right skills & attributes etc which are required of an elite fielder. He plays hockey and this is a fantastic winter sport training for cricketers as it combines, speed, endurance, flexibility, hand eye skills and hitting.


PakPassion.Net: Have players from the subcontinent complained out the outfields - we hear this being used an excuse for not diving for the ball.

Julian Fountain: It is a real problem, as you have to overcome the fear of hitting the floor. Countries where kids play rugby and football grow up hitting the deck and therefore have a natural advantage as they have lost that fear early on.


PakPassion.Net: As part of standard fielding drills, like catching, throwing, what else is involved? do u look at diet, sprinting capability, etc etc

Julian Fountain: A fielder must be an allround machine for stopping, catching and throwing. They need good speed, swift throw and to be fearless!


PakPassion.Net: Do you recommend a position for a player eg. someone who cant throw, can be put on the boundary.. etc

Julian Fountain: Every player can be brought up to a reasonable level with training. You cannot make a Jonty out of nothing but you can make a poor fielder into a reasonable fielder !


PakPassion.Net: What kind of analysis do u do? Is there something you, yourself have created?

Julian Fountain: I have an analysis system I use, but I am trying to get it made into a software program (anybody into writing software out there fancy giving me a hand?)


PakPassion.Net: What was the atmosphere like in the dressing room at the time of famous incident at the oval? What was Bob Woolmers reaction the events at that time?

Julian Fountain: It was a really weird day. It went from a minor inconvenience into a world wide crisis in about 30 mins. Bob just wanted the guys to go back out and play but he was always going to stand behind Inzi as he loved the team so much.


PakPassion.Net: Do you have any plans to re-apply for a position with the Pakistan setup at some time in the near future?

Julian Fountain: I would really love to coach Pakistan again, I just need the opportunity to do it ! Meanwhile if any of you need a coach let me know!