Raymond Price: Zimbabwe in India, the Test series

A month ago, the name Raymond Price did nothing much for the cricket fan in India. But today, after the Test series with the Zimbabweans, the name comes with a huge PRICE tag. The only specialist spin bowler who was part of the touring Zimbabwean side, he had a huge responsibility on his shoulders, for it is a well-known fact that both the Nagpur and the Delhi pitches favoured spin, for the sheer nature of the wicket is such that favours turn.

In the First Test, Price made a mark as he was the only bowler to give the Indian batsmen problems. He claimed a five-for and made a statement that he was not a bowler to be taken lightly. It is another matter that Zimbabwe lost the Test match, but for Raymond Price, the Nagpur Test was one he can keep recorded in his mind.

The Second Test at New Delhi had a track that was crumbling from day one. A promising track for spinners, and Price could look forward to getting turn on the pitch. In both innings, he captured five wickets, but what was most satisfying for Raymond was the fact that he got the little master Tendulkar out in both the innings and also in the First Test. So, in effect, Tendulkar had become Price's bunny!

"It was like a lifetime dream really, just to be able to bowl to Sachin, leave alone trying to get him out. You sit and watch a lot of the guys who come here from all over the world, and they struggle, like say Shane Warne, and that is because the Indians play spin so well. They are good with their hands and they wait for the ball so well. For me, I just wanted to do the best I could and work hard, and do the best I could for the team, hoping that I would be able to leave India pleased with my performance. Not so much about taking wickets - obviously taking wickets is good - it's more the effort that you put in."

The Indian experience is one that Raymond Price will take back with him and treasure over the years. Not only did he perform well; he was just overwhelmed with all the attention received.

"I really enjoyed India. Cricket here is such a passion, as compared to home where soccer is the biggest passion, but here cricket it is unbelievable, they treat you so well. It is fantastic to come here and I have really enjoyed it. Obviously I have learnt a lot, and have enjoyed playing cricket on these pitches because they turn quite a bit and they are really helpful to me."

Visiting a country that favours spin, Price was the only specialist spinner in the side. Bowling is also all about partnerships and he was missing a spin twin. Even though the seamers supported him well, having another specialist spinner in the side would have helped.

"Brian Murphy is there, but he has injured himself. He and I are really good friends, and I would love to play a Test with him, joke with him, enjoy ourselves a little bit. But our seamers I felt did a good job here, on wickets that don't help them. My team-mates did a fine job. Yes, it would have helped to have another spinner, especially on the last day when the wicket was really turning.

"All in all, the Test series did not go in favour of the Zimbabweans, at least not on paper. But they showed a lot of character in the Second Test, proving that they are not a pushover team by any stretch of imagination. They are fighters and will give the opposition a tough fight. In the end, the result showed two-nil in favour of India but it could very well have been one-all. But that is cricket; things do not always go the way they should.

"Obviously I was really sad to lose because you always want to win. But we played competitively, which is always good for the game and the spectators. And people back at home know that we played hard and we came close to winning in the Second Test. It is sad that we lost; we should have squared the series one-all, but life does not always go your way, and hopefully the next time we are in that position we will win."

At the age of 25, Price has a long way to go and the road ahead is winding and long, but with a clear-cut plan in place, there can only be a positive outcome. The feeling that one gets when one is part of the playing eleven is one that is often taken for granted, but one that people like Price hold close to the heart.

"I'd like to play cricket for Zimbabwe for as long as I can. It has been my dream to play cricket for a living, to be able to play for your national side. I would like to play till I can hold my place in the national side. You do have family commitments, but I would like to play on; I just love it. Just hope that the game carries on being good to me as it has done so far."

Much to the amazement of a lot of cricket lovers in India, Price was sent back home after the Test series. Apparently he is not considered to be a one-day player. Obviously disappointed, but not in a negative frame of mind, Raymond Price knows that there will be a time for him and a place in the shorter version of the game. For now he would have to leave the stage for he has played his part in Test cricket very well indeed. An encore performance, without a doubt, I am sure a few Indian batsmen would agree.

"The selectors have their reasons for not having me for the one-day side. There are a few areas of my game that are not strong enough to vie for a one-day spot as yet. My fielding is not 100% yet, and it is not where it should be either. There are a couple of things I need to work on once I get back, before I play one-day cricket. I would have loved to have played in the one-day series, but I have to wait for my chance and make sure that I am ready for it. Hopefully I will grab it with both hands and carry on playing for a long time. I hope that our team does really well; it will be good for us, and the people back home, and for cricket as a whole."

With a firm shake of the hand, he left to pack up his bags and get ready to leave on that jet plane that was heading home, taking back with him a bag full of cricketing memories that was the `Indian experience'.