Last Wednesday Australia’s ebullient wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist and India’s prolific opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar of 1970s and 80s were made Sir Donald Bradman honourees for 2010 at a glittering function at the SCG.
The previous honourees were all Australians: Norman O’Neill in 2006, Neil Harvey and Sam Loxton in 2007, Bill Brown and Arthur Morris in 2008 and Alan Davidson and Dennis Lillee in 2009.
It was a pleasure catching up with ‘Sunny’ Gavaskar before the gala ceremony and interviewing him for The Roar.
He recalled past, present and future of cricket with a straight bat, occasionally cover-driving and hooking but never pulling away from a short-pitched delivery from me.
Here is an excerpt from our two hour chat as we walked from Woolloomooloo to Kings Cross station and then to Town Hall and QVB.
Sunny, having commentated on the recently concluded Australia-India Test series in India, how do you think will Australia go in the Ashes?
“You must remember Kersi that despite India’s 2-0 victory earlier this month, out of 10 days of the two Test matches, both Australia and India went neck and neck on nine days. Only on the final day of the second Test, India was ahead. So despite the result, it was a very, very close series; very little separating the two countries.
“You ask how Australia will fare in the Ashes this summer. I predict Australia will win but it won’t be a clean sweep like in 2006-07.”
Sunny, what are your views on Ricky Ponting as captain?
I’m sure the Australian selectors won’t make a captaincy change this season with the Ashes around the corner and the World Cup next year. Such a change now will change the equilibrium of the team.
“Basically my impression over the last two years is that there is no replacement for Ponting who is capable of stepping up. The Selection Committee does not seem confident of Michael Clarke as a replacement.”
What about off-spinner Nathan Hauritz?
“Hauritz had a very ordinary series in India. He seems to be under a lot of pressure and was either unwilling or afraid to toss the ball. I think a leg-spinner in the team would make a difference.”
And what about the pace attack and wicket-keeping options for the Oz selectors, Sunny?
“Mitchell Johnson was all over the place in India. Ben Hilfenhaus bowled well. On faster Australian pitches the quickies will perform better. If Peter Siddle is fit, he will bring an extra dimension to Australia’s attack.
“Whether to retain Tim Paine as a ‘keeper or go for the more experienced Brad Haddin will be a tough call for the selectors.”
Your views on IPL?
“Apart from pulling huge crowds, it has brought cricketers from different countries together, and I mean together with old conflicts more or less resolved. Also playing with legends like Warne, Tendulkar, Gilchrist, Hayden, McGrath… has inspired young cricketers to perform better.”
Despite jetlag, Gavaskar visited the Bradman Museum development in Bowral last Tuesday, only a few hours after landing in Sydney. He was excited about the Hall of Fame theme and feels other countries should follow this model.
Any recollections of Bradman?
“I recall my first visit to Australia with the World XI led by Sir Garry Sobers in 1971-72 with nostalgia. I met Sir Don for the first time on that tour. At the Adelaide airport, he [Don] came round looking for ‘that little fellow’ — me! When we two were having a chat, Sobers joked: ‘Hey, you little blokes must gang up together, huh!’ Don turned to me and quipped: ‘These big blokes have the power, but we little ones have the footwork, huh!’ ”
One final question Sunny, which bowler troubled you the most?
“Andy Roberts from the West Indies was the best of the fast bowlers. I could not relax against him even after scoring a century. He had more variety than any other bowler I faced and he could surprise.”
On that note of surprise we parted company.
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