SIMMONS_INTERVIEW_PERREIRA_10DEC94

`I am confident`

He has often been dubbed a one-day cricketer. So Phil Simmons of Trinidad & Tobago has a lot to prove. After missing most of the England series, Simmons is only happy to get a piece of the action in India. REDS PERREIRA spoke to him during the current tour. Excerpts:

Q: This is the most important tour for you, you are trying to settle into the side after a struggle?

A: It`s another step as you say in the battle. This time I am one of the senior players. It helps me relax a bit. You play your game and do not try to worry about other things. I am trying to that right now.

Q: What was the feeling like at the end of the last test Test match at Antigua? Were you down, were you feeling well?

A: Maybe. I was a bit disappointed. The selectors had decided to play a certain team for the Three test matches. I had to sit down and watch. It was more of a disappointment than anything else.

Q: You did get back for the last Test match and had a chance of getting of getting a good score.

A: I had not played cricket for a while and it is not easy to just come back in a game and get going again. It just happened that I did not click in that game.

Q: Your Leicestershire contract must have been a boost.

A: It was always on my mind. Looking forward to the county season and thinking of what to achieve. I had something to look forward to, which was a good thing, while sitting and watching those Test matches.

Q: How much did you enjoy the English season?

A: Well, I enjoyed it. I always enjoy whether it is Trindad and Tobago or West Indies.

Q: You had a brilliant start in the county season. Were you disappointed that you did not get 1,000 runs?

A: I was disappointed that I could not get going. But at the same time we were winning games. That helped a lot. All the guys respected me. They always came and asked if I needed help.

Q: How tough was the 1994 season?

A: It was something different because it was five months of steady cricket. I think it may not have been hard but it is the amount of cricket for five months on a trot and with no break. That makes it a very hard season.

Q: How did you make adjustments in your technique?

A: I don`t think there was much of a problem. I just tried to work on staying at the wicket for a longer period. Try not to be as aggressive as before. When you look at it, it comes down to the fact that you got to know what you want to do and when you want to do it. I worked out what works for me.

Q: The Test hundred against Australia in Melbourne. That was a superb knock. You think you can get back to that kind of form, application and groove.

A: More form than grove, I would need that kind of mental application. I just stayed positive. That is the type of attitude I am trying to get back now.

Q: That Test match hundred indicates, you are capable of producing quality Test hundreds.

A: I have never doubted myself. I know my abilities and I know I can do it. It is a matter of putting everything together. We have 15 Test matches in the next 11 months. I am looking forward to Test matches.

Q: You came out of the West Indies system and moved nicely into the Trinidad side, to the West Indies youth side and then to the national team. Your early days were your happy days.

A: Those were the free days. You were just free and played as you wanted to. But then realisation sets in. You realise that now you are one of the senior players. You got to be a little more mature. You grow up as they say.

Q: You have had injuries to tackle and one of them almost took your life.

A: In life things happen. There are ups and downs. It was one of the downs. In every bad thing there is a good. It is not something that has worried me. It just remember it now and then and thank God that I am still here.

Q: You are more consistent in one-dayers than in Test matches?

A: I have been trying to work that out too. One day games are more in number than the Test matches. Everybody has a way of working. I have to balance both to work for me.

Q: You now have a new opening partner. How do you develop this understanding?

A: From the word go myself and Williams had the understanding. After a game we sit down and talk. When we came together earlier this year we had no problems.

Q: What do you have to say about the West Indies system?

A: I have been on quite a lot of tours. These were always good. I don`t know why the West Indies Board does not organise more tours like that. More tours definitely help you.

Q: What do you say about the Indian attack? There is more emphasis on pace than before.

A: In 1987 we had to encounter Hirwani. Now you have Srinath and Prasad. They have a pace foundation to try and groom pace bowlers. I only hope that the West Indies will take heed and have coaching schools where we can groom cricketers like they do in Australia and India.

Q: Tracks in India favour men who like to bat and bat....

A: Sir Garry was telling me most of the tracks in India favour the batsmen. And you can score a lot of runs. That is what I am aiming to do.

Q: How do you prepare for a long season ahead?

A: I am confident of doing well. I enjoy my cricket and being confident helps you give your best. Good things come from being confident.

Q: Your family?

A: They have always been with me. It is always good to talk to them.

Q: Your other interests?

A: I have started reading a bit. I follow track and field. I am into golf now. I just love sports. I have been a Spurs fan all my life. I won`t leave them.

Thanks SportsStar, Dec 10, 1995