'Pressure won't affect Windies'

Dubai: Joel Garner, the six foot-eight-inch former West Indies pace bowler, believes that the West Indies team can become the first host nation to win the World Cup.

Garner, who was known as the Big Bird, is in Dubai to discuss tour packages for UAE cricket enthusiasts bound for the World Cup, on behalf of MMI.

He is accompanied by Stuart Layne, the Barbados Tourism Authority President and CEO.

Gulf News spoke to Garner about the West Indies' World Cup hopes.

GULF NEWS: Being familiar with all the wickets in the West Indies, which country do you think has the best chance to win the World Cup?

JOEL GARNER: The team that can maintain consistency throughout the tournament can win the World Cup. It is wrong to predict Australia or England as the favourites. To win in the West Indies you need to play good cricket. The preliminary rounds will provide a good picture as to who will go on to win.

Do you think that the West Indies could emerge as the first host nation to win the World Cup or will they be under pressure playing in front of the home crowd?

West Indies team has always played good cricket at home. The pressure of playing before a home crowd has never affected the West Indies team.

The series defeat for the West Indies in India must have been demoralising?

During the last India tour, the West Indies team experimented with a few young players. They also tried out various combinations for the World Cup. So the series defeat should not be a matter of concern.

Do you think that the wickets will play a big role in deciding the winner? Will pacers dominate the tournament?

The wickets will have no impact on the tournament. All the wickets in West Indies are good and the team which applies itself to the task on these wickets can win matches. The team which has bowlers who can bowl according to the field will sail smoothly.

So which team has the best combination to win the World Cup?

India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia are all winners of the World Cup. It is difficult to pick one. Interestingly, New Zealand is also now playing good cricket. It is going to be a great tournament.

Why is it that West Indies are not producing good pacers?

The schools level cricket is more organised than during my playing days. There are under-13, under-15 and under-19 tournaments. In fact, junior cricket is much more structured now. Strangely, we are losing all the talented players by the age of 18.

Why do you think it is happening?

A study is being done by the Barbados University to find out the reason behind it. Up to 16 years we have promising players and then we start losing them. I think the youngsters are being influenced by computer games and lot of other distractions.

How much has your height helped you in pace bowling?

Height has nothing to do with success. Malcolm Marshall was a short man but he was a great pacer. There were many players who were even taller than me but they did not become good pacers. Only a pacer who can use his height to his advantage by utilising his abilities can become a good pacer.

Who is the best batsman you have bowled to?

Ian Chappell.

What were the qualities that made him the best?

He was tough. It made no difference to him whatever you did to him. His greatest quality is his ability to forgive and forget whatever happened in the middle. He will be the first man to walk into your room and offer you a drink at the end of the day. But he will continue the battle next day with the same vigour.

What is your advice to upcoming fast bowlers?

Work hard and be willing to make some sacrifices. Be disciplined and be prepared to take some knocks along the way but hard work is the key to success.

What do you do now?

I work for the National Sports Council. We provide coaching programmes for the schools and also stage community programmes.