Nagpur, Feb. 23 :    Nagpur, Feb. 23:  Back in early 1996, the Australian Cricket Board surprised everybody by replacing coach Bobby Simpson with Geoff Marsh. Late last year, it was Marsh's turn to surprise the world: He chose to succeed compatriot Carl Rackemaan as Zimbabwe's coach. Four years ago, Marsh was in India wearing Australia's colours. This time, of course, he is Zimbabwe's coach. Just how successful Marsh is with Stuart Carlisle and Co. remains to be seen, but what isn't in doubt is that he has had a fantastic association with cricket in Australia: As player, coach and selector. Marsh, soft-spoken and as focussed as ever, spoke to The Telegraph last evening - exclusively on his present role. The following are excerpts On what prompted him to coach Zimbabwe Well, this assignment provided an opportunity to get back to full-time coaching. The calender suited me and, moreover, there's a challenge in working with a team placed towards the bottom end of the ladder... When I quit as Australia's coach, in September 1999, I'd said I wanted a break. I did have one for two years. On still being away from his Perth-based family (Grins) But, then, don't forget I spent two full years at home. For somebody connected with cricket, that's a long, long time... Actually, we had a family-meeting on this offer and everybody felt I should return to coaching, if I was myself interested. Today, coaching is my life and, frankly, a few years down the line, this opportunity may not have come... My contract with Zimbabwe is till the (2003) World Cup. On whether, having coached Australia, this assignment is a 'comedown' I don't see it that way... After three-four years with Australia, the boys there probably needed somebody else and, as the results have shown, my successor (John Buchanan) has done a terrific job... The Zimbabwe boys do want to be competitive and, so, I'm doing my bit. World cricket itself will gain if teams are strong. On what remains for him to prove as coach, having already been part of Australia's 1999 World Cup success (Smiles) To now mould Zimbabwe into a World Cup-winning team. On the biggest difference (vis-a-vis Australia) in coaching Zimbabwe The inexperience of the boys, the inexperience of the system... In Australia, you've just got to switch on the TV and you will hear the Ian Chappells and Richie Benauds and... That's not so in Zimbabwe. The wealth of knowledge, for one, is simply not there. After all, Test status only came ten years ago... On just how much of what he learnt as Australia's coach is being put to use now The idea isn't to change anybody's natural style - no coach should do that... It's all about working on the basics: Batting techniques, bowling techniques... Fielding, too, has emerged such a priority area. Zimbabwe simply have to be a top fielding side. On one-time star Kevin Curran being assistant coach He's very enthusiastic, very good and is focussing on the bowlers... Of course, I must add my predecessor did a terrific job with them. (Adds smiling) When running net sessions, one does need eyes at the back of the head! On how he sees a coach's role Not just working on the technical side, but helping players cope with the mental pressure. It's not an easy world and, really, no player should be worried about things he needn't at all be worried about. But, yes, one has to work very hard - that's something I learnt from Bob Simpson. A coach expects everything to be perfect, but we are involved in a game played by individuals and things won't always fall into place the ideal way. On whether, given that the expectations aren't that high, his present assignment is somewhat easy We have set our own goals. To first be competitive and, then, be consistently competitive. Honestly, the structure back in Zimbabwe must change and all players should regularly be exposed to lots of three-day and four-day cricket. The way forward has to begin there and I've already conveyed this to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. On coaching a team with one superstar - Andy Flower Look, Heath Streak is a quality performer and so, too, is Alistair Campbell... Grant Flower as well... The way I see it, this team has a lot of players with a lot of talent. The biggest challenge for me, then, is to use the available talent in the best manner possible. On the pressure-factor on coaches The pressure is that the coach always has high expectations... He wants his players to do well... A coach's day is made when his players smile. Was it frustrating that we didn't do well in Sharjah and Sri Lanka? No. The moving-ahead-process will take time and we all realise Zimbabwe must work very, very hard. On whether the captain and coach should be denied a selection role on tours (Grins again) The coach should definitely have an input and the captain must be spoken to. On his consultancy tie-up with the BCCI which created a controversy I was assigned something and I did prepare a report. After that, certain things were discussed, but nothing materialised. I wouldn't like to say more. [At one time, incidentally, Marsh was a candidate to coach India.] Finally, whether he would have dropped Steve Waugh had he still been an Australian selector (After a pause) As Zimbabwe's coach, I don't have to answer that. I'm not obliged to say whether I agree or disagree with the decision already taken...