"Aussies don't sledge much" -- Daryl Tuffey
HARESH PANDYA
Right-arm fast-medium bowler Daryl Raymond Tuffey was a kingpin in Stephen Fleming's competitive New Zealand team. The strongly-built Tuffey, whose bowling style has shades of the former Kiwi quick Ewen Chatfield's, had an unusual reputation of dealing a deadly blow or two very early in the opposition's innings. Unfortunately, just when he was at the pinnacle of his prowess in 2004-05, injuries began to plague his career. Most of these were shoulder injuries and Tuffey was rendered hors de combat more often than not. He made a brief appearance on the international scene last year, and also figured in one World Cup match in the West Indies, but recurrence of his old shoulder injury thwarted his bid to stage a successful comeback in the New Zealand side. With his international career virtually over, Tuffey has joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Excerpts from an exclusive interview with the affable Kiwi, who has taken 66 wickets at 31.16 in 22 Tests and scalped 91 victims at 31.97 apiece in 80 ODIs.
Let's begin with an obvious, even inevitable, question. What made you join the ICL?
Well, to be honest, it's an opportunity to play more cricket. Besides, I've played a lot of Twenty20 cricket during my career. So it's good to come here and play with and against some of the finest players of the world, including Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq. I've played with quite a few Kiwis, who are here in the ICL, and it's a nice feeling to be with them again. Importantly, I hadn't been bowling as well as I normally do, which meant I mightn't have played a lot of cricket for New Zealand. So this is a good opportunity to play and prove my trade.
Are you suggesting that you haven't joined the ICL out of any frustration at having been forced to miss representing New Zealand because of your injuries?
Not really. I've been playing with injuries over the last couple of years. And I haven't had many opportunities to really force my way back into the New Zealand team on a consistent basis because of those injuries. So I'm quite used to it and my joining the ICL has nothing to do with any frustration. And I'm not at all frustrated, anyway. I've joined the ICL to play some more cricket and prove my ability all over again.
But haven't these injuries disappointed you, frustrated you, personally as a player, particularly given your talent as a bowler and your laudable achievements during your brief spell in international cricket?
Yes, they've to some extent. But what to do? What can you do about injuries which aren't in your hand? I've had a series of injuries over the last two-three years. I sustained an injury in the last World Cup, too, and had to return home early. It was the same shoulder injury that had troubled me earlier. So, yeah, it's a bit frustrating. But life goes on.
Have you given up hopes of ever playing for New Zealand again?
Well, I reckon I'd still like to play for my country again. I'm going to stake my claims for my province. And who knows I may still get another opportunity and end up representing New Zealand again. But the ICL is a good opportunity in terms of enjoying and playing cricket.
Are you satisfied with whatever you have done and achieved during your New Zealand career?
I think I've done pretty well during the limited opportunities that I had to prove my capability in international cricket. I always tried my best. Of course, I haven't done well on some occasions. But that's the way cricket goes, really. You can't always perform well. But I did enjoy my time when I had been playing for New Zealand. And who knows I might still play for my country again, as I just told you. I haven't shut the door. Not yet.
Did you have the right kind of support at the other end when you used to spearhead the New Zealand attack?
Yes, it was good. Shane Bond and Jacob Oram always lent me good support at the other end. I've a very close friendship with both of them. I keep in touch with them quite regularly; and also with my other New Zealand colleagues. I'm really looking forward to playing with them again.
Do you believe in the theory that fast bowlers are more successful, or at least do better than usual, when hunting in pairs?
Yes, I think they tend to do better when bowling in tandem. At the moment Chris Martin and Kyle Mills are doing a good job for New Zealand. In the past, Shane Bond and I were doing pretty well when bowling together. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis for Pakistan and Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee for Australia were enormously successful when bowling in pairs. One can go on giving examples of many fast bowlers who were very successful when they bowled in pairs. So it's pretty important for fast bowlers to hunt in pairs.
Would you mind assessing your own bowling?
I think I swing the ball well. It's one of my biggest assets. But, more importantly, taking early wickets is a key for me as a new-ball bowler. That's my job.
You are known more for your swing bowling than your speed. But have you ever tried to bowl as fast as you could?
I was never an express, 150 kmph bowler. I'm happy the way I bowl and the way I've bowled throughout my career. I never try, have never tried, to generate extra pace. Frankly speaking, swing is more important for me than speed.
What has been the secret of your success as a fast bowler? Ability to swing the ball or good control over line and length?
Well, actually both. I've played a lot of cricket with former New Zealand fast bowler Dion Nash. I remember him saying about first-class fast bowling: "Just concentrate on line and length and accuracy." Glenn McGrath made a career doing precisely that, just blocking up, doing his things and picking up wickets. So basically a fast bowler has to try and do that, really.
Who has been your role-model as a fast bowler?
When I was growing up, I used to love Ian Bishop of the West Indies. He was a great fast bowler. I always enjoyed watching him in action. Since mid-1990s, McGrath was great to watch. In fact, McGrath tops all fast bowlers when it comes to watching and enjoying.
Did you ever try to bowl like Bishop or McGrath or any other bowler?
No, never. Even if you try, it just isn't possible to copy any other fast bowler. As a bowler, I'm my natural self. Of course, I copy every batsman when I am batting!
Could you recall some special dismissals of yours that gave you so much satisfaction as a bowler?
Whether you're a fast bowler or a spinner, you really enjoy foxing some batsmen. You really enjoy dismissing batsmen like Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. And also Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist – always very tough wickets to get. Those moments have been very pleasing. Having said that, there is no particular ball or a particular wicket that has stuck in my mind. It's just a combination of few.
Who do you think is the fastest bowler in contemporary cricket?
Fastest bowler in the world at the moment? Well, probably Brett Lee. I don't think Shoaib Akhtar at the moment is as fast as he otherwise can be. Brett Lee hasn't just been bowling well. He has been taking plenty of wickets as well. He was fine against Sri Lanka. So I think he is the fastest bowler in the world today.
Who is the best, if not the fastest, among the new-ball bowlers?
There're simply too many to single out any one in particular. S. Sreesanth from India could be one of the most competitive medium-pace bowlers in the world today. He seems to be a bit of a character and quite a competitor. He is taking wickets as well. I see a bright future for this young pace bowler.
But he tends to be very aggressive, doesn't he?
Yes. But so what? It fires him and as a result he gets more wickets. I think it's his style of playing cricket.
But is it good for a fast bowler to be so aggressive?
Aggression and intimidation are fine within reason. There is a law which you shouldn't cross. You really don't have to be too aggressive always and keep appealing. You've to use your discretion as to when to be aggressive and when not; and how much.
Did you ever try to intimidate a batsman?
No, not really. It isn't part of my game or my game-plan. No intimidation, no sledging for me. I just try to get as many wickets as I can by bowling to the best of my ability. That's my job. I leave intimidation and sledging to other guys.
Have you ever faced sledging when batting?
Not really.
Not even from your neighbours, the Aussies?
Haa haa haa haa haa! Well, the Aussies don't sledge much, really. They're tough competitors on the field. They want to do well against you. But there is no real verbal confrontation from the Aussies. At least I haven't come across any.
Which has been your happiest moment so far?
Well, probably winning the ICC Champions Trophy at Nairobi in Kenya in 2000. I think it has to be one of my better moments while being a part of the New Zealand team.
And the most unforgettable moment?
It always pains when you don't win from a good position, when you lose tight games, when you get injured. Not getting wickets despite bowling well is also a very sad feeling.
How did you find Stephen Fleming as a captain?
I think he was a very good tactician. He was a very good team leader, who knew how to get the best out of his players. But now Dan [Daniel Vettori] has taken over. I think he, too, is a very fine captain. I've played under him for my province. I think he is going to do a fantastic job. He is a very intelligent block. I think he is another one who can get the best out of his players. He leads from the front.
What makes New Zealand one of the best fielding sides in the world?
A lot of catching and ground fielding. We work very hard on our fielding. We've had some big sessions practising our fielding. The same is with Australia and South Africa. Good fielding always helps the team. It means half the battle is won. We always field well and give ourselves a chance to actually winning.