'Get a new helmet, I'm going to hit you again'
Andrew Hall on the cricketers he admired growing up, and the time he knocked Paul Harris over
Interview by Jack Wilson
16-Feb-2014
"I was quite nervous when I first started playing games that were televised" • Getty Images
First hero
There were two guys I really admired growing up: Clive Rice and Jimmy Cook. I used to watch a lot of cricket and I always used to be down at the Wanderers whenever I had a chance. When the rebel series started I went to watch a couple of times. Jimmy was especially big for me. I used to be a wicketkeeper when I was younger and I always watched him to see how he did things. The pair was a big influence.
There were two guys I really admired growing up: Clive Rice and Jimmy Cook. I used to watch a lot of cricket and I always used to be down at the Wanderers whenever I had a chance. When the rebel series started I went to watch a couple of times. Jimmy was especially big for me. I used to be a wicketkeeper when I was younger and I always watched him to see how he did things. The pair was a big influence.
First experience of international cricket
My debut came in 1999 against West Indies. It was absolutely incredible to play under Hansie Cronje. From the moment I first walked into the dressing room he was brilliant. He welcomed me into the team, spoke to me briefly and then we went out for a practice session. They are great memories.
My debut came in 1999 against West Indies. It was absolutely incredible to play under Hansie Cronje. From the moment I first walked into the dressing room he was brilliant. He welcomed me into the team, spoke to me briefly and then we went out for a practice session. They are great memories.
First time I hurt a batsman
I didn't bowl very much as a youngster but there was one incident that sticks out in my mind. I hit Paul Harris, the South African spinner, once and we still have a laugh about it. I ran up and banged him on the side of the helmet and knocked him to the ground. What I said afterwards sticks in my mind too! I said, "Mate, get up and get a doctor on, and get a new helmet too, as I'm going to hit you again!"
I didn't bowl very much as a youngster but there was one incident that sticks out in my mind. I hit Paul Harris, the South African spinner, once and we still have a laugh about it. I ran up and banged him on the side of the helmet and knocked him to the ground. What I said afterwards sticks in my mind too! I said, "Mate, get up and get a doctor on, and get a new helmet too, as I'm going to hit you again!"
First time I was in awe of someone in the dressing room
My first experience of being in awe of someone - or some people - came when I got into the first team of the Transvaal side. I came in and they had Jimmy Cook, who played for South Africa, still playing. Richard Snell and Steven Jack were in there too and they were real international players. I really looked up to them, especially as at the time I was only a youngster making my way in the game.
My first experience of being in awe of someone - or some people - came when I got into the first team of the Transvaal side. I came in and they had Jimmy Cook, who played for South Africa, still playing. Richard Snell and Steven Jack were in there too and they were real international players. I really looked up to them, especially as at the time I was only a youngster making my way in the game.
First time I played on TV
I was quite nervous when I first started playing games that were televised. There was a deal in South Africa, when I was playing for Transvaal, that most of our one-day games were played on Friday nights. They were floodlit and they liked to make a big thing of them. My third game in the competition was televised and I really worried about it beforehand. You're shaky but then you get over it. Once I went on the field all I was thinking was about playing for Transvaal and not the cameras.
I was quite nervous when I first started playing games that were televised. There was a deal in South Africa, when I was playing for Transvaal, that most of our one-day games were played on Friday nights. They were floodlit and they liked to make a big thing of them. My third game in the competition was televised and I really worried about it beforehand. You're shaky but then you get over it. Once I went on the field all I was thinking was about playing for Transvaal and not the cameras.