MUMBAI. Aug 7 (Internet report): International cricket is all about pressure. And these guys are professionals.

Handling pressure situations is part of a captain’s responsibility," said Allan Border tojndia's Mid-Day newspaper, at the Royal Palms and Country Club. Goregaon, Friday.

The former Australian skipper, in the city to take part in a celebrity golf event involving cricket luminaries (organised by Royal Palms and Country Inns) was reacting to a question about former West Indies skipper Richie Richardson's assertion that pressure on the job was leading to breakdown among contemporary captains.

Richardson had also requested experienced former Test skippers, like Australia's Mark Taylor to put their minds towards reducing the pressure on today’s captains.

Border was of the opinion that Richardson’s poser was "Interesting", but felt appointing good managers and coaches was a more practical way of reducing the pressure of expectations on captains.

"Pressure is something you have to live with. I struggled in the initial years to cope with demands on me. but Bob Simpson's presence at that point took a load off my shoulders. He helped me understand my job as Australia’s skipper and at the same time gave me the freedom to take a step back and do what

was necessary to improve my batting." said Border who moulded Australia into a World Cup winning unit under Simpson’s guidance.

The former Australian skipper. who calls himself "A social golfer" pointed out the difference between leading Australia and one of the sides in the Asian sub-continent.

The pressure is there, but the fanaticism is missing," observed Border whose advice to Indian cricket fans, officials and the media is to leave Sachin Tendulkar alone.

"Sachin has had a stint as captain before so he knows what to expect. Don't put undue pressure on him, rather appoint a good manager or a coach to take some of the load off-his shoulders." said Border, who in the company of former World Cup teammate Dean Jones walked away with the Clash of Champions '99 title.

Both the Aussies will now proceed to New Delhi to play in a similar celebrity golf event organised by Ajay Jadeja over the weekend.

Team Dean Jones clinched the Royal Palms and Country Inns and Suites Clash of Champions ’99 title, played at the Royal Palms and Country Club Course. Goregaon yesterday. Jones’s team, which comprised his colleague and former Australian skipper Border, Amir Nensey. Chairman and Managing Director, Royal Palms and Muhammed Nensey. Joint Managing Director. Royal Palms prevailed over Team Kapil Dev, which included, besides the former India skipper. Hanumant Singh, former selector and Mumbai Ranji coach Ashok Mankad.

Team Dean Jones also bagged all the individual awards on offer.