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The Rediff Cricket Interview/ Ian Bishop

'We ain't god, we don't have control!'

For Ian Bishop, being named captain of the West Indies A team now touring India must have come as the ultimate insult -- for this is the man the likes of Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding both rated as good enough to spearhead the Windies pace attack after their exit.

But then, Bishop and luck have been strangers -- his career thus far being a story of good performances, injury layoffs, comebacks and more injuries. Which perhaps explains why, when the senior team is struggling against the Proteas, Bishop is enjoying a far more relaxed tour of India.

The premier paceman spoke to Faisal Sharif during his team's recent three-day game in Mumbai.

What's the underlying idea behind this tour?

This is an exercise in finding players for the future, an attempt at unearthing bench strength for the West Indies team. It is a useful exercise, because it fires the youngsters to perform, to prove a point to the selectors. Also, being on tour gives the youngsters a chance to perform in different conditions,and playing in India is always a challenge, it takes a lot out of you if you want to excel, to survive the tour with your reputation intact.

This unearthing of new talent, is it in view of the World Cup?

Not entirely -- though if that happens, we aren't going to complain. Ideally, the core group for World Cup '99 is almost in place, Lara, Chanderpaul, Hooper, Wallace, Ambrose, Arthurton should make up the core. Hopefully, if promising talent emerges on this tour, it will help fill in the blanks.

You yourself have been plagued by injuries right through your career...

Yes, injuries have shortened my career, taken away a lot of cricket from me. I tend to be philosophical about the whole thing. Sure, you do find yourself wishing the damage hadn't been done, but what is the point of crying over spilt milk? I can at least be thankful that I played, off and on, for ten years, even though midway through I had to change my action because my back was causing problems.

Was that the result of too much cricket?

That could be one of the major factors, sure, but it wasn't the only one. The explanation is clear enough -- the human body is not a machine, it is vulnerable to injuries, to such hazards. All a player can do is keep playing and hope the flow goes your way. We ain't god, we ain't got control.

On this tour, you have been bowling very well, do you see yourself making another comeback into the senior side?

That's why I am here -- to play and prove my fitness and ability. I need to get a couple of good games, to start feeling confident again. That is very important to me, at this stage -- I have been practising regularly, putting in five, six hours of practise.

Maybe I can't generate the kind of pace I could before, but I think I am still a pretty difficult customer to get away. Now I guess what I need are a few good performances, a bit of luck and maybe a few blessings from upstairs.

The standard of West Indies cricket has deteriorated considerably in recent times, wouldn't you say?

It had to happen -- the seventies and eighties was a period when we were supreme, we had players of the highest quality, we set our own standards. And then suddenly we lost all our stars in quick succession, that sort of thing always creates a void that is really difficult to fill. I mean, you can's shop for replacements for the likes of Richards or Lloyd or Garner or Marshall, players like that, off the shelf.

A lot has changed in West Indies cricket since the eighties -- the pace quartet has retired, the character of the wickets have changed... There was a phase when the new guys had to pick up and carry on the legacy of a great tradition, and that is always a hard thing to do. Actually, I think in the last five years we didn't do too badly, we lost only two series -- the one at home against the Aussies, and one against Pakistan in Pakistan, and that is not too bad a record. As for the declines of our fast bowlers, well, we do have guys like Mervyn Dillon and Franklyn Rose coming up.

But there was a time when you would have four fast bowlers in action, and another four equally good ones waiting in the wings -- which is not the case now. Why do you suppose the overall standard of cricket in the Caribbean is declining?

Actually the infrastructural standard has dropped, there was no attention paid to this aspect. And there were economic reasons as well, you know cricket is a very expensive game, one kit alone is damn expensive. Basketball is much cheaper to play, one ball is all you need, you can have 14 kids playing, and it has caught on amazingly with the youth of the islands. For that matter, American sport is growing in popularity over there. We needed sponsors to lift cricket by pumping in money, encouraging youngsters.

Actually, I think the authorities are doing well now, there are signs of improvement. I think the West Indies is re-emerging as a cricket force, maybe slowly, but surely. You know how every country goes through recession, we too are facing our problems but hopefully, it won't be for long.

So you would attribute the decline to basketball's growing popularity, basically?

That is a main reason, yes, but then, in life we all have to set our priorities. Youngsters have to be able to care for their families, besides performing and enjoying the game. If you can take care of those needs, then you will get the best out of them, you will find new talent emerging.

There has been much controversy lately, with Lara threatening to call off the South African tour, literally holding the board to ransom. What are your views?

It wouldn't be ethical for me to comment about it, frankly. But yes, I feel that the relationship between the board and the players should improve, that will be good for the game.

This kind of thing has been happening in Australia, and now in the West Indies, with players striking for more pay. Do you see the trend spreading to other countries?

You know, in a partnership there comes a time when one side feels that the other side isn't seeing their point of view. It is like a business, where you have to have a deal that is fair to both parties, I think these kind of things are here to stay and will spread as dissatisfaction spreads.

To get back to cricket, you've played under five captains -- Richards, Richardson, Haynes, Walsh, now Lara. How do you rate them?

Viv was a very aggressive kind of captain, the type who wanted to have his way and was clear about what he wanted, could even rub people the wrong way. Richardson, Haynes and Walsh on the other hand were very soft-spoken, not authoritative like Viv. Lara is technically very sound, an aggressive captain and a good reader of the game.

How did your tour of Bangladesh go?

It was a wonderful experience. We played three ODIs and a three day game. They have great pitches, and the stadium had very good facilities. As for the team, it is quite good, of a fairly decent standard. Also, their hospitality was great.

Do you suppose it makes sense to include teams like Bangladesh in the big leagues? Wouldn't it be better if they were first given experience in the domestic leagues of various countries, before taking on the top teams?

We have actually done that. The USA and Canada have been playing in our Red Stripe league. It takes time for teams to grow, that is something you have to keep in mind. Yeah, one way your argument holds true, that playing very tough opposition can be unnerving and demoralizing. But if you are a good learning of the game, there is nothing like taking a few notes from your defeats. Cricket ideally should be globalised, more teams should be playing it at the highest level.

The cliched question -- what is your most memorable moment in cricket?

Being picked to play against England was something that excited me. Another moment I remember was taking my 100th Test wicket, that was a great feeling.

How do you rate this Indian team?

Which one, the Test side or the one day squad?

The one day side...

Oh, India is a great one day side, there is Tendulkar and then they also have players like Azhar, Dravid, Ganguly, Jadeja, Mongia and Sidhu, all good players.

And the Test side...? We seem to win only at home...

Well, let me tell you that playing at home is not the easiest of things to do. In places like India and the West Indies where people are so passionate about cricket, playing at home can be a disadvantage. As long as you win, the whole thing is taken for granted but once you lose, they guillotine you, the fans, they are more unforgiving than if you had lost abroad, so it is not easy at all.

The Indian team does have a few problems, for one thing they don't have a good turner of the ball. Kumble is good but he is not a turner. Also, there is no one good enough yet to partner Srinath, so all the good work he is doing gets undone at the other end. Otherwise, they are a good side, the batting strength is awesome...

What are your experiences bowling to Sachin?

Oof, that man is awesome, he overawes you with his sheer power. The impact of his shots, his shot selection, it is unnerving. When he is at the crease, it is a real challenge to bowl, because he doesn't give you too much of a chance.

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