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Cricket
By S. Dinakar
Zimbabwe's Alistair Campbell has experienced a roller-coaster ride right from his demotion to the `B' squad to prolific knocks in India. He has seen it all. — Photo: N. Balaji
KOCHI, MARCH 14. In the labyrinth of a cricketer's career, where heady wins and crushing disappointments are criss-crossing paths, survival can be tough. There are some who walk away, some others who stay back and fight. Alistair Campbell chose to slug it out. Only months ago, he was demoted to the country's `B' side, a banishment of sorts for a former Zimbabwean captain. Campbell only saw this as an opportunity to put the pieces together again. And when the selectors, impressed with the 29-year-old southpaw's form during the `B' team's tour of South Africa, decided to recall him for the Indian campaign, Campbell was ready for another fling at `Big Time' cricket. The elegant batsman has indeed been in wonderful touch at the top of the order, and his current run of scores in the Pepsi ODIs - 84 (Faridabad), 62 (Mohali) and 71 (Kochi) - makes him the batsman of the series so far. ``It's been very good in India. There is a great passion for the game here, the crowds are huge, you are treated like a superstar and I am enjoying it here. The runs have been coming too,'' said a smiling Campbell in an exclusive interview to The Hindu, the morning after his side's famous victory in Kochi. What went through his mind during those troubled times when he found himself battling for survival. ``Actually, in the period I was dropped, I worked on quite a few things technically, like back-lift and feet movement, and on mental strength as well. Playing in the `B' side helped. There is far less pressure and it helps you to relax and concentrate on certain aspects of your game.'' The runs have flowed from Campbell's blade in India yet he regards one Indian particularly as a testing bowler - ``Harbhajan Singh, without a doubt. He's world class. His accuracy and the ability to deliver different balls at will sets him apart. He can turn it both ways, has a top-spinner that bounces more than usual and keeps coming back at you. He's a real challenge.'' The affable man from Harare is delighted about Zimbabwe's lead in the series, but concedes the next two games might be hard - ``India is still hard to beat at home, and there will be pressure on us, as well, to pull it off. The team has worked hard and is confident. We are a close-knit bunch and have that old fashioned courage.'' Has new coach Geoff Marsh made a difference, bringing with him a dose of Aussie aggression and attitude? - ``He has, but it is still a long process. Marsh, Kevin Curran (assistant coach) and Stuart Carlisle (captain) have worked well together and it's helping the team.'' Looking back at his career, Campbell admits he has underperformed on occasions, not consolidating on starts, ``I think a lack of mental toughness has been the biggest stumbling block for me.'' No wonder, Australian captain Steve Waugh and close friend Andy Flower are the cricketers he looks up to. ``You can learn so much from them. They actually relish pressure situations, and never give up. They have got lots of mental strength apart from cricketing ability.'' Campbell was in a spot of bother recently for his comments on his country's selection policy. He wants to put that incident behind him now - ``Certain statements have been taken out of context. Let bygones be bygones. At the end of the day, we are all working together for the betterment of Zimbabwe cricket.'' He urges the media to give a little more credit to the side when Zimbabwe wins - ``You see whenever Zimbabwe beats someone why is it always assumed that the other side has performed badly. Sometimes this hurts. We too can play good cricket on our day, we too can win. Marillier played that remarkable innings in Faridabad and Hondo bowled well here.'' And then, as he walks up to board the bus transporting the team to the Kochi airport, kit bag with the inscription `Zimbabwe Cricket Team' slung over his shoulder, Campbell reminds one of another great sporting truth - it's a long, hard and demanding journey. Ask him and he'll tell you it's only the beginning.
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