|
The best thing that could have happened to me was that I played with a group of fellows who enjoyed each other's company. Being good friends was more important than our achievements.
What I really admired about Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, was their professionalism.
This Australian team is a lot like ours.
My most memorable time in cricket would be 1981-82 in Australia. We lost the first Test match and drew the second. But we had left the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy back in the Caribbean, so it would have been embarrassing if we had lost the series! In the end, we had a great win in Adelaide and retained the trophy.
I think the key for any team is for the fellows to be able to lift each other's game.
I was talking a few months ago to some fellows I used to work with at Cable and Wireless and they said to me: "Do you remember the evenings when you used to go down in the pasture and bowl at three stumps, then at two, then at one?" I did remember. It was the groundsman who threw the ball back to me. His name was Christmas.
You've got to be prepared to work hard as a bowler. I don't see how you can run two laps a day and then think you are fit to play in an eight-hour game. You don't get anything for nothing.
One of the things that strikes me is that if you enjoy the game, you usually do well.
Indiscipline is a problem in West Indian society, not only in its cricket. I don't think there is any excuse for not having good manners. I come from the old school where they say "manners maketh man".
I don't like comparisons. Different times, different people playing, different standards altogether.
I have a problem with our domestic cricket not encouraging the skills of a player. You look at a game and see seven on the off, two on the leg, and the bowler bowling wide of off stump. I would like to see fellows learning to work a batsman out; bowl him two or three offcutters and then a legcutter - things like that.
The ICC changed the rules to accommodate suspect actions. I don't think they've got it right. I don't think they'll get it right.
It's an honour to have had one end at the Kensington Oval named after me. But to be honest, I haven't given it a lot of thought. I take things as they go and I'm always grateful for anything I get.
Cricket has been a great life experience. You understand different cultures, you meet different kinds of people and make lasting friendships. In how many jobs can you travel around the world, enjoy what you are doing and get paid for it?
Most of the people who know me know that when they see Joel Garner, that's the real fellow. There are no airs and graces. I like humbleness. I don't think I've changed anything.
This interview was first published in Wisden Asia Cricket magazine in 2003.
© Cricinfo
| 
