'I never wanted to be a cricketer'
Dirk Nannes likes messing about in the snow, can't speak Japanese or Dutch, and once saw Brad Hodge throw a shoe to delay a game
Interview by Jack Wilson
28-Feb-2014
Dirk Nannes: don't go asking him any shit questions now • Getty Images
You are a self-confessed accidental cricketer. Explain.
I never wanted to be a cricketer. It wasn't what my dream was and I just fell into it. I was always dedicated to my skiing.
I never wanted to be a cricketer. It wasn't what my dream was and I just fell into it. I was always dedicated to my skiing.
You have represented Australia at skiing and cricket. What is your first love?
Skiing, definitely. I love my skiing although I have only skied once in the last six and a half years! The moguls was what I was all about. The reason it gets a bad rap is because of the big-impact falls and people having huge one-off stacks, but that doesn't happen that often.
You have played international cricket for Netherlands. Does that mean you can speak fluent Dutch?
My parents always spoke Dutch when they didn't want us kids to understand. There are four of us. My eldest sister understands fluently, and the younger the kid - and I'm the youngest - the less we spoke.
My parents always spoke Dutch when they didn't want us kids to understand. There are four of us. My eldest sister understands fluently, and the younger the kid - and I'm the youngest - the less we spoke.
What is the story behind the rumour that you can speak Japanese too?
That came from an article in a newspaper when I first started playing cricket. I'd been to Japan three times in six months and he assumed I spoke Japanese. I don't!
That came from an article in a newspaper when I first started playing cricket. I'd been to Japan three times in six months and he assumed I spoke Japanese. I don't!
Are any of your three children going to be cricketers?
Matt is the eldest. He has my body shape, with a big arse, and he might be a hard-hitting No. 7.
Matt is the eldest. He has my body shape, with a big arse, and he might be a hard-hitting No. 7.
If I gave you a ball and you had six balls to hit one stump, how many times would you back yourself to hit?
Two.
Two.
Who, in world cricket, would you back to hit the most?
I'd have a spinner. Hmm, I'll go with Daniel Vettori.
I'd have a spinner. Hmm, I'll go with Daniel Vettori.
You've been on the mic in T20 games. Is it off-putting having the commentators getting in your ear?
I don't mind it as long as people don't ask me shit questions. Let me do the talking. Normally you bowl the ball, think about what's just happened for the first five seconds, have five seconds of blank and in the next five you think about what you're going to do with the next ball. As soon as I've bowled it I don't need someone asking me what I think a par score is, because I don't give a shit! It's not what I want to think about midway through an over. I prefer having the freedom to talk my way through it.
I don't mind it as long as people don't ask me shit questions. Let me do the talking. Normally you bowl the ball, think about what's just happened for the first five seconds, have five seconds of blank and in the next five you think about what you're going to do with the next ball. As soon as I've bowled it I don't need someone asking me what I think a par score is, because I don't give a shit! It's not what I want to think about midway through an over. I prefer having the freedom to talk my way through it.
What's the strangest thing you've ever seen happen on a cricket field?
Brad Hodge took off his shoe and threw it from midwicket to cover in the Pura Cup final in 2006 to delay! David Hussey was bowling the last over before tea and it took seven minutes as we didn't want to have to bowl another one. They were 800-odd for 3 at the time and Hodgey just put his hand up and said, "Sorry, it slipped off", and walked all the way over to cover to put it back on!
Brad Hodge took off his shoe and threw it from midwicket to cover in the Pura Cup final in 2006 to delay! David Hussey was bowling the last over before tea and it took seven minutes as we didn't want to have to bowl another one. They were 800-odd for 3 at the time and Hodgey just put his hand up and said, "Sorry, it slipped off", and walked all the way over to cover to put it back on!
Who is the best left-arm quick you have ever seen?
It's got to be Wasim [Akram], hasn't it?
It's got to be Wasim [Akram], hasn't it?
Which three team-mates past or present would you want in your dream pub quiz team?
Vettori would be very good. I'll have Ryan Carters and Neil McKenzie too.
Vettori would be very good. I'll have Ryan Carters and Neil McKenzie too.
Which takeaway do you prefer: Chinese or Indian?
Chinese.
Chinese.
Night in or night out?
A night in.
What is the best thing about playing in the Big Bash?
The camaraderie between the guys.
The camaraderie between the guys.
Which batsman in world cricket do you least enjoy bowling at?
AB de Villiers.
AB de Villiers.
Which cricketing rule would you like to change?
That it can't pitch outside leg for lbws.
That it can't pitch outside leg for lbws.
Who has given you the worst sledge?
I can't really think of one. I think it's because I'm quite quiet. I never say anything to the batsmen.
I can't really think of one. I think it's because I'm quite quiet. I never say anything to the batsmen.