THE CAMARADERIE OF SPORT ALIVE AND WELL
Q You were part of some fierce battles against Australia. Do you have a different perspective on the country now?
A You do have a feeling in all cricket-playing countries. If I go back to Johannesburg or if I go to Auckland or London, you get the feeling that you are slightly back at home. These are places that you are accustomed to. You may not have strayed as much back then as you do now … walk the streets and enjoy the place.
It’s a whole different atmosphere. Obviously when it’s competitive it’s short, sharp visits and you’re coming up against particular countries. But now I’m down on the Gold Coast, I’m relaxing, I don’t have to train tomorrow or have a match coming up. It’s a different scene. You run into a Glenn McGrath at the Melbourne Cup and it’s a different feeling with what that relationship was back then to what it is now. It’s called the camaraderie of sport, it’s what you gain from it. It’s not just the fierce competition, it’s meeting new people and going to new places.
Q What do you make of the state of international cricket now?
A It’s been a long time now, maybe 12 years or so, since T20 has become part of international cricket and I love the effect of it, I love the fact they’ve brought in something that has generated a lot of interest with new spectators and sponsors. That’s been tremendous.
With what has been happening lately with the Test league, I really do wish that was happening back in my day because you just keep going and going and everything seems mundane. You play a series against Australia, against Bangladesh, against Zimbabwe, and what’s the real factor behind it? Now there’s a Test championship there’s something to play for. I think that is also a good move by the ICC. Watching some of the present-day cricketers, I’m amazed at the skill and talent and appetite for success.
I think the game has grown in all aspects, the ladies’ games has also grown and you see a lot more fierce competitions between the ladies. That’s good for the game in general.