Sport - Cricket

He believed he was the best

By Vijay Lokapally

Former West Indian fast bowler Curtly Ambrose (right) and former captain Richie Richardson during a concert at the Lashings Club in Antigua. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan

ST. JOHNS MAY 16. Getting Curtly Ambrose to talk was tough in his playing days because, as the great bowler said, he preferred to let the ball to the talking. So, when he spoke, it was a rare act by Ambrose.

A visit to Lashings Club where Ambrose and former West Indies captain Richie Richardson played the base paved the way. It was team work. The Hindu lensman V.V. Krishnan requested West Indian photographer Colin Cumberbatch who put in a word for us. And Ambrose granted a rare interview, his first ever to an Indian publication.

Excerpts:

Question: How cold you combine cricket and music?

Answer: It's easy. I've always loved music. During my playing days I always said that when I retire from cricket I would become a professional musician. Music is something that I've loved and played for quite some time. When I retired I decided to take up music full time and have fun along the way. I do play the base and I hope you had a good time. After 13 years of competitive cricket, I wanted to take a complete break from the game. I'll return one day. Do some coaching and pass on my experience. It's been only two years since I retired. I wanted to retire in my prime. I always believed in having pride in what you did. I'm a proud West Indian.

Q: How do you look back at your playing days as a fast bowler?

A: Fast bowling is not an easy job. It's lot of hard work. But if you are prepared to work hard, prepared to put in the effort, you'll get the rewards which will be sweet in the end. Being the spearhead of the West Indies for so many years was a tremendous amount of responsibility on my shoulders. And of course my good friend Courtney Walsh over the years. We carried West Indies cricket for many years. But we loved the challenge. It wasn't easy, believe me, but being survivors and fighters we carried the responsibility and I think we did well.

Q: How was it taking 400 Test wickets?

A: When I started playing first, way back in 1988, I never thought I would be in so long enough to take 400 wickets. I think I've done well over the years and I want to believe that I've given joy to people around the world. It feels great to take 400 wickets in Test cricket and join an elite group of people. It's a great privilege and honour for me and I'm quite proud.

Q: How do you feel seeing the West Indies struggling the way it is?

A: It's very disappointing. When we came we had great people like Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd and Gordon Greenidge who set the standards. We knew we had to maintain the standards and we did meet the standards. It's quite disappointing to see that today the youngsters haven't been able to maintain the standards. But I'm sure with more time and experience, these same guys will bring the team back to the top. You'll have to be patient. It's difficult to believe that we are not on the top of the world but in due time we'll be there.

Q: What did fast bowling mean to you?

A: Taking wickets was the ultimate. And of course winning was everything. When I went to play, I wanted to win. As long as I personally got some wickets, or lots of wickets, I believe the team would win. I don't believe in losing. Losing hurts. That's why I gave my best everyday.

Q: That confrontation with Steve Waugh?

A: It was the ultimate. To get him out. Cricket is a very, very competitive sport. It was part of my game. A bit of psychology. Some batsmen don't like when the bowlers stare at them. It makes them a little nervous. But I don't mean anything by it. Just part of the game and it worked some time.

Q: What was the philosophy of fast bowling. I asked Viv Richards and he spoke of domination at the crease.

A: Quite similar. I believed I was the best and you, I would just sweep you aside. I was the one in control. I backed myself to believe I could take your wicket anytime. Once I had the ball in my hand I thought I was not stoppable. I believed that no batsman could stop me.

Q: You gave the impression of being a mean man on the field. Why?

A: Lot of people tend to judge me from what I'm on the cricket pitch. But it's just part of my game. Cricket is no fun. It's competitive and hard grind. You want to win. So I go there to compete and win. A lot of people thought I was so mean and fierce but then that's my cricket. It's not me. It's my cricket.

Q: How much did the playing surface mean to you?

A: I never looked at the pitch before a Test match. I didn't look at it until the morning of the match to make an assessment. I learnt to adapt to bowl on any pitch. There are guys who struggle to bowl on flat pitches. You have to adapt to all kinds of surfaces.

Q: What would you say of your visits to India. And how do you rate Indian cricketers?

A: I went to India a few times to play one-dayers but never played a Test series. I never had a chance to see much. But India has had some great cricketers. Sunny Gavaskar comes to my mind. Dilip Vengsarkar. Of course Sachin Tendulkar. He's someone I admire very much. I think he's the best batter today in the world. Some may not agree but that's my opinion. He's someone I admire greatly and I think he's the best batsman in the world today. You have some good players like Kumble, Srinath.

Q: How would you get Tendulkar?

A: Difficult to tell. He's such a wonderful player. Who knows, caught behind, caught in the slips!

Q: Do you like comparisons?

A: I'm not the one to compare. It's all different eras. Cricket has changed and it'll not be fair to judge players of different eras.

Q: Your interests other than cricket?

A: I play soccer and basketball. And of course music.

Q: What do you have to say about life outside cricket?

A: I live a simple life. Cricket was in a fast lane. Living out of suitcases. I liked to be an entertainer. To play for the people and not for myself. They pay the money and they ought to get the money's worth. That's how I look at myself. An entertainer.

Q: What message would you like to give to youngsters?

A: It's a competitive game. Things are not going to happen overnight. You as an individual have to earn success. To achieve your goals you've to work hard. Have to be dedicated. If you want to be the best you have to make sacrifices. I'm sure at the end of the day you'll get your results.

Q: Why did you always avoid the media?

A: I've no problems with the media. You have a job to do. No problems with that. I'm not big at talking with the press. It's nothing personal. I always preferred to let the ball do the talking. I take five wickets or one wicket you write about it. Nothing personal, nothing against journalists.

Q: Looking back, would you like to pick one memorable moment of your playing days?

A: Winning was more important than my personal achievements. Tough to pinpoint which was the best.

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