'Both teams are evenly matched,' says Jeff Dujon
Jeff Dujon, a mainstay of the all-conquering West Indian side of the 1980s, is now heavily involved in youth cricket in the Caribbean
Freddie Auld
08-Mar-2004
Jeff Dujon, the wicketkeeper/batsman who was a mainstay of the all-conquering West Indian side of the 1980s, is now heavily involved in youth cricket in the Caribbean. Freddie Auld caught up with him during England's tour match against the Vice-Chancellor's XI in Kingston:
 |
|
What exactly is your role now?
I am in charge of cricket development at the three main university campuses, here at Kingston, St Augustine in Trinidad, and Cave Hill in Barbados. I used to be the development officer for the West Indies board, but that involved relocating to Antigua, and that wasn't an option.
I am in charge of cricket development at the three main university campuses, here at Kingston, St Augustine in Trinidad, and Cave Hill in Barbados. I used to be the development officer for the West Indies board, but that involved relocating to Antigua, and that wasn't an option.
Are you glad to be involved in West Indies cricket?
Yes. University cricket is a very dynamic area. It has a serious contribution to make. It breeds leaders and broadens the talent base. The facilities and quality of coaching are getting better, and the university side has already been playing the Red Stripe Cup, the one-day competition, and will be introduced to the Carib Beer Cup in 2005.
Yes. University cricket is a very dynamic area. It has a serious contribution to make. It breeds leaders and broadens the talent base. The facilities and quality of coaching are getting better, and the university side has already been playing the Red Stripe Cup, the one-day competition, and will be introduced to the Carib Beer Cup in 2005.
Do you think that more past players should be involved in coaching?
I'm not so sure. They shouldn't just be involved with the national team, but should use their professional experience and opinions for younger ages. We need the best coaches at the lower levels so they can pass on their experience.
I'm not so sure. They shouldn't just be involved with the national team, but should use their professional experience and opinions for younger ages. We need the best coaches at the lower levels so they can pass on their experience.
What are your hopes for the future of West Indian cricket?
Obviously I want West Indies to get back to the top, but my main focus is on how we can develop that. University level is a key factor in that. The turnaround won't happen overnight, though. The mental aspect is more important than the technical, and with proper emphasis and backing, I can help to do that.
Obviously I want West Indies to get back to the top, but my main focus is on how we can develop that. University level is a key factor in that. The turnaround won't happen overnight, though. The mental aspect is more important than the technical, and with proper emphasis and backing, I can help to do that.
Are there many good players coming through?
Over the last two years, five university players have come through to play for the B team, or their countries. But let's face it, if the University team won a major competition, then West Indies cricket would be in the s**t. We're just acting as a feeder, providing first-class experience and broadening the talent base. We're producing future leaders.
Over the last two years, five university players have come through to play for the B team, or their countries. But let's face it, if the University team won a major competition, then West Indies cricket would be in the s**t. We're just acting as a feeder, providing first-class experience and broadening the talent base. We're producing future leaders.
You must have been glad to see Jermaine Lawson back in action?
It's good to see him back playing with some confidence, and shaking off his physical problem. He's still only bowling in short spells, but it is highly possible he will play a part later in the series. He just needs to bowl more overs and get back to being match-fit.
It's good to see him back playing with some confidence, and shaking off his physical problem. He's still only bowling in short spells, but it is highly possible he will play a part later in the series. He just needs to bowl more overs and get back to being match-fit.
How do you see the Test series going?
It will be close. Both teams are evenly matched. England have the edge in the bowling. They're steadier and more disciplined in their line and length. They feel they have the best chance of winning in the Caribbean for 36 years, and that's fair enough. West Indies' batting is coming along, though, and if England don't make the big scores, they will struggle.
It will be close. Both teams are evenly matched. England have the edge in the bowling. They're steadier and more disciplined in their line and length. They feel they have the best chance of winning in the Caribbean for 36 years, and that's fair enough. West Indies' batting is coming along, though, and if England don't make the big scores, they will struggle.
Who do you think will be the key figures?
Michael Vaughan is a very good player. He's been batting well on the tour so far, and he should do well on these wickets. You can never discount a fit Graham Thorpe, either. He's England's best player, and has been for a while. I haven't seen much of Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick, but I'm sure they'll chip in. I like Chris Read as well. He's not only a good keeper, but an aggressive batsman. England have a good balance to their team. For West Indies, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be the key batsmen. Ramnaresh Sarwan needs to come into his own and push on.
Michael Vaughan is a very good player. He's been batting well on the tour so far, and he should do well on these wickets. You can never discount a fit Graham Thorpe, either. He's England's best player, and has been for a while. I haven't seen much of Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick, but I'm sure they'll chip in. I like Chris Read as well. He's not only a good keeper, but an aggressive batsman. England have a good balance to their team. For West Indies, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be the key batsmen. Ramnaresh Sarwan needs to come into his own and push on.
What did you make of West Indies' recent tour of South Africa?
Our bowling was shown up, and we never got going with the bat. South Africa bowled well and showed the patience needed to be successful. We still try to bowl too many wicket-taking deliveries per over. We need to be more patient and let things happen.
Our bowling was shown up, and we never got going with the bat. South Africa bowled well and showed the patience needed to be successful. We still try to bowl too many wicket-taking deliveries per over. We need to be more patient and let things happen.
Is Brian Lara the right captain?
I've got no problem with him as captain. His experience is what the team needs. He's managed to motivate the players better this time around in his second stint as captain, and his batting has shown more responsibility.
I've got no problem with him as captain. His experience is what the team needs. He's managed to motivate the players better this time around in his second stint as captain, and his batting has shown more responsibility.
For someone like yourself, so used to winning in your Test career, does
it hurt to see the current side struggling?
I expected this to happen. I'm not surprised at all considering so many changes were made to the team. It took me a long time to feel any optimism, but the batting has turned around. We still haven't got the bowling right, though.
I expected this to happen. I'm not surprised at all considering so many changes were made to the team. It took me a long time to feel any optimism, but the batting has turned around. We still haven't got the bowling right, though.
What do you put the decline down to?
In 1991 the guts of the team were ripped out. When you replace so many great players at one time, what do you expect? Other countries were on the way up at that time as well. The other factor was what went on in the board meetings back then. As Garry Sobers said after the World Cup in Australia [in 1992], the tournament was lost in the selection room.
In 1991 the guts of the team were ripped out. When you replace so many great players at one time, what do you expect? Other countries were on the way up at that time as well. The other factor was what went on in the board meetings back then. As Garry Sobers said after the World Cup in Australia [in 1992], the tournament was lost in the selection room.
Freddie Auld, Wisden Cricinfo's assistant editor, is following England in Jamaica and Trinidad.