In the third instalment of the series of interviews conducted by PPer Shoaib Naveed, we present to you an interview with the New Zealand fast bowler, Timothy Grant Southee. PakPassion.net had the pleasure of meeting Tim Southee in the back drop of a promotional media event in Auckland to launch the HRV Cup.
by Shoaib Naveed 3 December 2011
In the third instalment of the series of interviews conducted by PPer Shoaib Naveed, we present to you an interview with the New Zealand fast bowler, Timothy Grant Southee. PakPassion.net had the pleasure of meeting Tim Southee in the back drop of a promotional media event in Auckland to launch the HRV Cup.
The twenty two year old right-arm swing bowler who won the Player of the Tournament Award at the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2008, marked the start of his Test career with a five-wicket haul in the first innings and a quick-fire 77 not out off 40 balls in the second innings against England in March 2008. In his interview with PakPassion.net, Southee spoke about his career so far, his cricketing idols, the improvements he has made in his game as well as his hopes and aims regarding the ongoing tour of Australia.
PakPassion.net: You have really become a new bowler over the past couple of seasons. What do you think are the main reasons for this transition towards the better?
Tim Southee: I think it?s just a whole lot of things that I have been working on over the past couple of years that have come good at the right time. A couple of good performances have helped in boosting my confidence and that, coupled with the hard work I have been putting in, has helped in bringing in the turnaround, and I was pretty pleased at the way the season ended last year.
PakPassion.net: We have seen a few fast bowlers going down the T20/ODI route to extend their careers and prevent injury. Any such thoughts floated through your mind?
Tim Southee: In terms of importance, Test cricket is certainly the pinnacle of the sport and there is no greater satisfaction than performing well in a Test match, at least personally that is what I think. I enjoy playing the other two formats as well and hopefully since I am still young, I have a few years playing all three formats for N.Z.
PakPassion.net: Your performances against Pakistan have been noteworthy, especially in the last two series'. Any specific reasons?
Tim Southee: No, I don?t think it has much to do with the opposition. It?s just - as I said, my work with the bowling coaches and the effort I have been putting in off the field has started to show and it all sort of came together last season.
PakPassion.net: As an aspiring fast bowler, who did you enjoy watching growing up?
Tim Southee: I always enjoyed watching Andrew Flintoff and Glenn McGrath. I think those two would be my idols.
PakPassion.net: You have gained an extra tick or two on the speed gun off late. A lot of up and coming fast bowlers are interested in adding a bit of steam to their bowling. What is it that you have worked on?
Tim Southee: It?s a combination of things, I think. Worked a lot on fitness and have lost some extra baggage so that has helped. Apart from that, just worked on my run-up and trying to hit the deck harder than before, like Flintoff. Have worked with a few bowling coaches as well which has helped. Shane Jurgensen from Australia and of course, Allan Donald. Allan had some good advice to give and it?s a shame really that he couldn?t be around longer with us.
PakPassion.net: The Australian tour is just around the corner. How do you see your bowling shaping up?
Tim Southee: Looking forward to playing on those tracks especially the Gabba pitch is always fun for fast bowlers. It was good fun last time around in '08 and of course, with the whole Trans-Tasman rivalry, everybody seems to lift their game a bit. Hopefully, we can cause a few upsets and set the summer up nicely for our home games later on.
PakPassion.net: You bowled quite well in the World Cup. How do you adjust to bowling on flatter tracks offering little assistance to fast bowlers? And where do you personally enjoy bowling?
Tim Southee: The tours prior to the World Cup to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India were the key in my mind. Even though the results were not favourable, they helped in getting adjusted to those conditions before the World Cup took place. You have to play it smart and get used to the conditions there. Adding a bit of variety to your bowling and field placements play a big hand as well. Personally, I love bowling in England and the U.K where there is seam and bounce for the fast bowlers.
PakPassion.net: Your bowling spell so far that sticks out as memorable?
Tim Southee: The Test debut of course is always something special and getting five on debut will always remain a fond memory. The Gabba Test of ?08 where I got four on the first day and three in the first session is also something I cherish a lot. Limited overs cricket wise, the 5 for 18 in the T20 against Pakistan and then my first five-wicket haul in ODIs against them I enjoyed as well.
PakPassion.net: Who is an absolute nightmare to bowl at?
Tim Southee: I look up to the challenge of bowling against quality players and feel like as a bowler, you give that much extra when you are up against class acts like Ponting, Tendulkar, Mohammad Yousuf, Dravid. I guess of all the batsmen I have bowled to, Tendulkar is the one that really sticks out. Haven?t looked like getting him out and as a bowler, that is a worry when you can?t think of many ways to dismiss your opponent.
PakPassion.net: Who are the Pakistani players that you have relished playing against? And who are the ones that have got under your skin at times?
Tim Southee: Watching Shoaib Akhtar run in and bowl 150+ is always fun. So he is someone whose bowling I have always admired.
Misbah annoys you as a bowler at times, because we couldn?t seem to get him out for anything less than fifty the last time he was here. He is a great batsman but tends to get under your skin the way he plays. But I think that?s more credit to his game and us not being able to get him out more than anything else.
