The Times Interview - Doug Walters, Explain Yourself to Dean Wedlake

Wednesday, 23 May 2007

• Howick and Botany Times

Doug Walters. Times photo Dean Wedlake.

TO interview Doug Walters is to understand how much cricket has changed in the modern era. You wouldn’t catch members of the Australian squad speaking to the media nowadays with a cigarette hanging out the mouth while nursing a tall pint of lager, but you wouldn’t get the same honesty that Walters delivers either. Only a select bunch of cricketers can claim a grandstand at an international ground that’s been named in their honour. The Sydney Cricket Ground’s Doug Walters Stand, built in 1985, is a fitting tribute to a man who gave brilliant service to both New South Wales and Australia as a dashing right-hand batsman and highly underrated right arm medium pacer. Walters now spends his days as an accomplished raconteur, keeping crowds on both sides of the Tasman enthralled with hilarious anecdotes from a career shared with some of the true characters of the game. A visit to our shores last week saw his experiences imparted on a captivated audience at Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club, where the Times was fortunate to catch up with one of cricket’s living legends.How have you found New Zealand on this trip and over the years?You performed pretty well here in your playing days, with a batting average of 72 compared to your overall average of 48, while scoring your highest test score, 250. Was there something about our conditions and bowling attack that suited you?How did you get into the game in Dungog (a small town in New South Wales) and who were your heroes when growing up?You played with some of the greatest all-time fast bowlers in Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee. What was it like to play in a team with them?Were there any opponent fast bowlers who really put the wind up you? Do you have any thoughts on why we aren’t producing the same level of talent these days?What are your thoughts on the present state of international cricket?Are you happy with the state of Australian cricket?Michael Clarke is often compared to you and knowledgeable observers say he’s quite a similar player. Are you comfortable with the comparisons?Have you any thoughts on the way the game’s social side has gone? In your day you’d have a few ales with the opposition. Now it seems iced beers have been replaced with ice baths.

Do you see any hope for New Zealand going forward with the team we’ve got now?How did it feel to have a grandstand named after you at the Sydney Cricket Ground after your playing days were over? Do you get any perks like free hot dogs or unlimited beer?What keeps you busy these days? Doug Walters fact file:

Born:Teams represented:Test record:Highest scoreBest bowling:Best player seen:Best present cricketer: