Postcard (1 April 1999)

1 April 1999

Postcard

from Justin Langer

An interview with Andy 'Barman' Bichel

On a tour like this West Indian one, invariably one or two players are going to miss out on playing most of the games. Having been one of those players for many tours in the past, I can sympathise with these guys who have to keep working hard just in case an opportunity comes along.

On this tour, Queenslander Andy Bichel has been the guy who has unfortunately lacked opportunities to perform out on the park. To his credit he has maintained a fantastic attitude for the whole series reinforcing his reputation as one of the great team men of Australian cricket. For something different, I asked 'Bich' if he wouldn't mind sharing a few thoughts with me for one of my postcards. Like usual he was only too happy to help out.

JL: Although you haven't played much cricket this tour, you have always stayed in excellent spirits, what has been the key to this great attitude?

Bich: After a long lay-off from international cricket it is just nice to be back in the Australian squad. Being part of the squad makes you realise that you have to enjoy the tour and keep working hard, not only to keep fit but also to keep the team spirit going. Even though I haven't played too many games I have still had a fantastic time and am glad to have been a part of this West Indian tour. From a purely tourist point of view I could recommend the magnificent country of Barbados to anyone looking for a brilliant holiday.

JL: From the sidelines what do you think has gone wrong for the good guys in the last two Tests?

Bich: From a biased point of view I think we lacked three seamers for the last Test match particularly. 'Pigeon' and Dizzy have been doing a lot of bowling leaving them tired when we really needed them fresh. An extra quickie may have helped to lighten their workload. Even the last two Tests when we have had them struggling early, they seemed to have been able to fight back later in the innings, maybe because our two 'quicks' have been bowling so many overs. Also we can't forget that Lara has been outstanding.

JL: As a bowler how do you think we should be attacking Brian Lara who has been on fire in this series?

Bich: He obviously likes to hit boundaries and I think he knows the importance being placed upon him to score the majority of his team's runs. He is under pressure and yet he is performing like a man possessed. I think we have to cut down his boundaries and work at being as tight as possible to him. Coming into the last Test in Antigua where it is a low slow pitch, it is important that we bowl one side of the wicket and don't over-attack him. By building up as much pressure on him as we possibly can, I think we can bring him unstuck.

JL: Seeing as though you are nicknamed 'Barman' Bichel for your post-match services, which player do you think has been calling on your services the most this trip?

Bich: I must admit things have been pretty quiet since our first Test win in Trinidad. I had to work overtime after that game which was the highlight of the tour up until now. If I had to nominate one player who keeps me in business I suppose 'Blewy' would be the one who loves an icy cold beer at the end of the day.

JL: What do you have in store for the winter back home?

Bich: Keeping fit will be a main priority as I obviously want to keep pressing for selection for the Zimbabwe and Sri Lankan tour at the end of the winter. Also I am proud to announce that I am going to be a dad in the near future so I am looking forward to preparing for that by spending some quality time with my wife Dionn who is also experiencing her first pregnancy. If there is any other spare time I will be out in my boat catching the biggest fish that the Moreton Bay waters have to offer.

JL: What do you think went wrong for the Bulls in the Sheffield Shield final who were obviously beaten by a far better team (my team Western Australia of course!)

Bich: Our batting has been under pressure all season and by the sounds of it this was also the case during the final. The conditions with the wet ball also seemed to go against us when we were bowling, and I can tell you from a bowler's point of view, a wet ball always makes it hard to keep the pressure on the opposition. I was shattered when I read the result on the Internet, it is always hard when you're away from home and can't do anything about the result from so far away. We will have to make up for it next year.

From Antigua, JL