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Interview

  INTERVIEW OF SAURAV GANGULY Sourav, this is a very happy and proud moment for you, but what are the other thoughts going through your mind as you take over as India's captain?

The first thing that comes to mind is that we have our backs to the wall and we haven't played good cricket in the past three years. We have to come out of this soon and play positive cricket. And try to improve our performance because I feel that we are a much better side than what we are performing at the moment. We are playing much, much below our potential. We need to forget our losses in the past three months and start a new chapter, and try and improve our performance.

What do you attribute this low in Indian cricket for such a long period to?

It happens. Some teams go through a phase like this. It think one reason why we are not doing well is that we are not putting up enough runs on the board. We are just not batting well. For the last five Test matches we have scored 150, 130 or 160 runs. That, I am afraid, is not good enough to win you Test matches.

Are we mentally weak?

Yes. I believe that the game is all in the mind. I think that is one of the main reasons.

Is that the reason why the team has appointed a sports psychologist (B Ganesh Kumar from Madras)?

He hasn't been with the team for long. He has just been around for a game and is not traveling with us for the one-day games. So for anything to happen in a consistent manner, we need to have him with the team. We can't get through with him in just five days. We really need somebody with us for a year or two. You can't get results just like that. He can't be with the team for a period of five days and then leave.

Whose idea was this to have a team psychologist?

I think it was the BCCI's idea.

Have you had any sessions with him yet?

Not a long session, but a little one. I thought whatever he spoke to me made a lot of sense.

Are you nervous about the new job on hand?

Not at all! I think the way that we have played in the last three months, we can only get better (smiles). We can't play worse than this. So, that's the only positive aspect.

Do you think you will face a problem captaining a team with three former captains in the side?

No, not at all. I don't think that will happen. With respect to Sachin, Azhar and me, the important thing is performance. We all stay in the team on the basis of our performance and only then we are selected as captain or vice-captain. So, performance is the bottomline and we all know that. We all know that if we have to be in the team we have to perform.

In your brief stint as captain earlier on, what did you learn about the job?

I think that was a young team I led, and it was for a span of three days. In those three days we played and we won. It was good all along. We beat the West Indies; I played well and we won the series.

Do you honestly believe this team is not doing well just because of the batting, or there are other problems as well in this team? Maybe, this team is not gelling as a unit.

These things fall into place. If you don't perform, don't put enough runs on the board, the bowlers don't get enough runs to bowl at and the captain doesn't know how to set the field. He doesn't know whether to attack, or defend; or he doesn't have enough runs on the board. So then everything looks lacklustre. It gives a feeling to the people that the team is not gelling together as a unit. You gel as a team when you do all the aspects of the game properly.

Why do you think is South Africa gelling together as a team? Because the batsmen have put 400 runs on the board, the bowlers have taken wickets at regular intervals and the fielders have taken their catches. So, it's all three important aspects of the game, and we have to do well in all three aspects to do well as a team. If you don't do one aspect right then we falter. For example, all the 13 years that we won series at home -- we won only because we had runs on the board. We won in India all along because I can't remember a Test match where we were shot out for 113 in India.

Sourav, what went wrong in Australia? If you were to put your finger on one factor what would it be?

I think we didn't bat well. In the Adelaide Test, the first innings was the only time that we scored around 300 runs. I scored, Sachin scored, Laxman scored a good 40 runs and Rahul got 35-odd.

In Melbourne, 180-200; Sydney 150-200. You can't expect to win a game. The only game we won in Australia was when we scored 270 against Pakistan. We scored 195 against Pakistan in the first game although we should have won that game. We still lost. 195 is no total to defend. One partnership and they were on their way. You have to put runs on the board.

Contrary to this, see how Australia has scored. In Adelaide they scored 420; in Melbourne they scored 460, and in Sydney they scored 500, and won convincingly.

Are you trying to say that our bowling is not good enough? Because batsmen set up a game in Tests, but bowlers win them.

That's what I am saying. You have to give them runs. For a bowler to get wickets he needs to have fielders in catching positions. Now when you have 150 runs on the board, at the back of the captain's mind is that he has to stop the runs; he has to be defensive. In Australia, so many times we had the ball flying off the edges with no fielder in position because we didn't have enough runs. There was no pressure on them at all.

In Adelaide, the first session was completely dominated by India. What happened after that?

We got shot out for 280 in the first innings and then for 125 in the second innings. I alone scored 46 runs.

Do you believe that we let them off the hook? Why did we release the pressure off them?

Absolutely. They were 58 for four and we let them off the hook.

Where do you start picking up the pieces? What is the first aspect you want to look into?

I think it's one win. We have to somehow manage one win. We have to play exceptionally well to win. Luck also is an important factor. We have to be a bit lucky. If we can start off this series with a win, it will be a different ball game altogether.

What we need to do is forget about the past. I know it is not an easy thing to do but we have to. We are professionals, we play cricket day in, day out. We are going to have a great time; we will fall into a rut where we don't win. Every team has gone through it. And we have to put our performances behind. We need to believe in our abilities. Our top six batsmen have scored runs all over the world. So there is nothing wrong with their ability, it's just matter of time.

We have to back ourselves; tell ourselves that we have scored runs all over the world. We are proven customers; we can do better. I could understand if we were a young side and the boys had played just one or two games. We have guys who have played close to hundred Tests, eighty Tests, hundred-plus one-dayers. So this is not new to them. It's just a matter of getting out of that mindset.

  INTERVIEW OF SHAUN POLLOCK Shaun, has the fact that you are related to the Pollocks added to the pressure or has it worked to your advantage?

I think the presence of Graeme and Peter in my family tree worked in my favour because people took notice of the fact that I was a Pollock. That did put a little bit of pressure on me to play for my country but once I was actually in the team, it was not a problem at all.

How was it like early on, when you started? Was that -- the Pollock legacy -- the driving force?

It gave you a reason to do your best, it was something to strive for, because you know that your family members had played at the highest level, and my dad was out of the set up for quite some time. Graeme was still playing at that time and I think his son felt the pressure more than I did.

Your impressions of Graeme Pollock?

Actually, I don't see too much of him. He stays in another part of SA. Of course he was a genius and he has been selected as the cricketer of the century for SA. There are not too many people like that who come along. He was a great player to watch. He had loads of advice to give to me.

Were you always a fast bowler? Did you always want to bowl fast? Take us through your earliest memories of having played cricket.

I started playing in the back garden with my brother. Then in school days I used to do both, bat as well as bowl. It was part of the game. I used to bat at number three and open the bowling, so for me cricket involved both the disciplines. That's how I got started.

How has it been bowling alongside Allan Donald?

It's been superb. He is a fine bowler and one of the best South Africa has ever produced. He is really quick, so all the batters are looking to score runs off me at the other end and so I end up getting the wickets. I get more opportunities. I know that if I were playing against Allan Donald I would have loved to face my own bowling and slapped myself for some runs and seen him off (laughs).

You have been named deputy to Hansie Cronje, which seems to be a clear indication that you are the heir apparent. Are you enjoying this extra responsibility? Any impact on your game?

I don't think it is too much of an extra responsibility at the moment. I just contribute whatever I can and help the captain, at this stage. I think once you actually get the captaincy is when things become difficult. But then I don't see Hansie retiring for the next few years and so its still a long way off. There is no definite thing anyway, that I am going to be the captain. After two years, someone else might come along and he might be the vice-captain. But if I do become captain, then it will be a great honour and its something that when it happens, you try and do the best that you can.

What qualities have you learnt from Hansie as a captain and as leader of men?

He is a very good decision maker. He takes the points of view of all the players into account, sums the situation up and then makes a decision and leads from the front. What more could you ask for from your captain?

Shaun, I understand that you are a very religious man. Could you tell us something of your beliefs?

I have never smoked or drunk in my life. I am a reborn Christian. It does have a big impact, because it keeps the balance in your life and you realize at the end of the day that cricket is not the be all and end all of life. There is more to life than just cricket.

So, what else is there to your life besides cricket?

Your love for your lord, your God and saviour. And that he leads your life and you must try and be an example for Him. That's the most important thing.

How has your spirituality helped your game?

I don't think it helps the game. It helps the psyche. The fact that I am able to relax a touch more and I understand that in the context of life, not getting runs or not getting wickets in a game is not the end of the world, helps. You can wake up the next day and smile and be back in the thick of things, be more determined.

You have seen South Africa change radically as a nation, with respect to its stand on racism, the end of its isolation from world sports. How have you reacted to the changing scenario?

It's been great. We never thought that we would ever play international cricket and now we are doing just that. It's something very exciting. When we were growing up, there was nothing like cricket tours by international teams and there were no tours our own team was making. It was something that we were just not used to.
So we always knew that we were battling. All of a sudden, we were playing international cricket. It came at the perfect time for me. I finished my varsity and we were back in the international frame. So there was a chance of becoming an international cricketer. That was something that I always dreamed of. I always thought that I might have to play professional cricket somewhere else. But it all came through in the best possible way, and that's been great, to be able to play for one's country.

Have things really changed? Have the coloured people back in South Africa been accepted by the whites?

Yes, there has been a dramatic transformation. We have come a long way. It's been a very difficult journey and we have surprised others and ourselves at the way we have calmly come together.

To get back to this tour, what according to you is the key to success on sub-continental wickets?

Make the ball work for you when it is new. Once it gets older, then it's much easier to bat. Variation is the key. I think you got to have different things in your armoury for certain situations and different wickets. Also another important thing is to put the pressure on when the new batsmen come to the crease.

After watching the Board President's XI bat against the rising deliveries, you think that could be another game plan to get them?

I don't think they will be too worried about playing the short ball on their home turf. Also the fact that they have come off a tour from Australia should help, they must have gotten used to the bounce.

This might sound like a very rhetorical question, but who is the one batter that you really look forward to bowling to?

India has a nicely balanced team; of course Tendulkar is the star. Ganguly and Dravid play well, but I don't know much about the other players. But if I was to talk about one batter it would, without doubt, be Tendulkar.

Why is there such a dearth of spinners in South Africa?

The conditions in SA don't help the spinners too much. During the isolation period, we didn't come to the sub-continent, where spinners thrive. Since we weren't going to tour the sub-continent, there was no scope for spin in our cricket, and so spin just died a natural death. There was no motivation for youngsters to take to spin. Now we are back in international cricket and we are traveling quite often to the subcontinent where the ball turns square, so more and more people are taking an interest in the sport. And it won't be too long before we have some really good spinners. It is not that we don't have good spinners already -- Eksteen is a very fine spinner, so is Paul Adams, who unfortunately couldn't make the trip due to injury.

Fast bowlers are normally very aggressive and indulge in a lot of sledging. Where do you think does one draw the line?

Different people have different ways of doing it. I am a person who makes his bowling do the talking. Of course when I get frustrated I do say something. But in general I avoid it and don't do too much of it.

So what are your other interests besides cricket?

Nothing, I am a full time cricketer. I play a little bit of golf but that's about all I do.


  INTERVIEW OF SHOAIB AKHTAR Do you think success has come too early for you?

I know I have the talent and this is the way I have always been. I don't bother too much about anything. I'm doing good. So far, so good.

Your career is going at breakneck speed...


Nothing comes early. God decides when he has to give it to me and then gives it. We can't do anything about it. I think God has been very kind to me.

What kind of hard work has gone into your game?

Lots of hard work. I don't need to tell you that. It's a very personal thing. I do lots of things to be perfect and keep fit. We have to work hard, else we can't survive in this field. I'm enjoying my cricket and doing alright. I'm glad the way the ICC has lifted the ban and allowed me to play cricket again.

I have a fitness problem. There is just too much cricket these days. The past three years have just been a bit too hectic for us. There is too much of bloody cricket being played. But I try to keep myself fit.

Shoaib, what was it like when you were banned briefly by the ICC? What thoughts went through your mind when you found out, just a day after landing in Australia, that you had been barred from playing?

I couldn't believe the nine wise men who passed the judgement. I said, 'They can't do this to me.' Nobody told me that I have a suspect action. Even the greatest bowlers have seen my action and they believe there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, they say that my action is perfect.


When they called for the ban I packed my stuff and was ready to go to England to live the rest of my life. They told me to change my action, make it right, put things back in action and come back again. I said I can't do that. I said I'm going to England because I got my house down there. I said I will never play cricket again.

When did you start playing cricket?

I started playing serious cricket at 19, 20.

Did you start playing cricket as a fast bowler?

Yeah, very fast...(laughs)

Faster than now?

Could be…. no, not faster than now.

What do you think should be done to take care of the interests of the players? First it was Murali, now you…

You are talking about the ICC, yeah? There is absolutely no security for the guys who are playing for the country. There should be a council of players. There should be something for the players which protects the guys. It can't be up to them. Ban him; then ban him. Who next? And that too without giving reasons. It must be a joke for them.


Bobby Simpson, I think, is one of the main @*&^%$ here. He tried to ruin Murali's career; now my career. I mean I can't believe it. I trusted in God and knew that nothing is going to happen to me. At the most what can happen, I thought. I might not play cricket for the rest of my life. My life won’t be finished.

I made my name; I have been dubbed the 'Rawalpindi Express' around the world. What more do I want? Nothing else. So I packed my bags and said that I am off to England. I said to myself that I would never play cricket again. There are no regrets at all. It has all happened.

What can I do? I can't fight with God. But one day I prayed to God and said, 'God, just give me one more chance. I think I want to play cricket.' And I came back again. There should be councils. There should be an association for the players. But the chucking stuff is now over and the chucking panel is almost gone. And this is just because they grabbed the wrong person. Anyway good luck to them!

What is it about Pakistan? Why are there always accusations flying around them? First it was the ball-tampering controversy, then the chucking controversy...

Because we produce the world's best players; we are more talented than anyone else. We have the two master Ws; best all-rounders -- Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mehmood; the world's best off-spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq. What else could you find in one single team?

Where does all the talent come from in Pakistan?

From the streets.

Is that where you came from?


Yeah, of course. From the footpaths. Bhai log they hum log. Dada log they. Mazaak karte they, halla gulla karte they; ladkiyon ke saath. Achanak cricket khelna shuru kardiya.

And you were a world class bowler then?

World class aise nahi banta beta. World class ke liye bada kuch karna padta hai. You can't even imagine.

What are your other interests besides cricket?

I listen to music, watch Indian movies. I love Hindi music. Nowadays I am listening to that song of Salman Khan's film from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge-Munda Kamaal Hai. I love Salman Khan; he is a good actor. I watch a lot of Hindi films -- Akhir Hindustan kya dushman hai hamara? I also like Shah Rukh Khan a lot.