STICKY WICKET-INTERACTIVE

Name: Aslam Khota

Vitalstatistics:Supersport cricket analyst & Radio 2000 commentator.

I have gotten to know Aslam for a while now and I have always respected his cricketing Knowledge and his passion for the game. I caught up with him once and asked him for an Interview on my website which he duely obliged. I told him to give us a more Interactive approach on his experiences and conquests thus far.

swoosh:Salaam Aslam, Thanks for coming on Line with Us. We head into Cricket Season Now and a perfect time to have you on. When did you first start playing Cricket? And where did you start off?
aslam: I was born into a cricket mad family, thus the game has been part of my life. Played junior cricket in Vrededorp (Fietas) and represented Transvaal Under-14’s in Kimberley. Played most of my life as an opener and wicket-keeper.

swoosh:What do you think of Cricket back then as opposed to now?
aslam: Not very different, children still love the game but amazingly we had better opportunities as boys to play more cricket. It got bad as you grew older and we were seriously neglected at High Schools where the teachers failed to play a role.

swoosh: I know Cutty Amod (From my End) always used to pop in at Wits Underwear and talk about the Fietas Days? Can you tell us more about these days?
aslam:There was tremendous camaraderie, yet very healthy and intense competition. That’s the reason why it was so competitive at all levels.

swoosh: Cutty reckons there would be players that would have walked in to the National team. Guys like Tiffie Barnes and others. Do you think the guys of yesteryear would have walked in to the current South African Set Up hands down?
aslam: There were great players and I believe you need more time and space to mention just a few. Facilities were so bad yet they turned up, played, had fun and produced some of the most exhilarating cricket. There were many who would have played, refer to my book; Across the Great Divide – Transvaal crickets Joys, Struggles and Triumphs, where this subject is detailed by Rafique Khota and Bree Bulbulia.

swoosh: Shukr Good to see our guys staking a claim out there. Hashim Amla, Ahmed Amla, Ahmed Omar, Gulam Bodi, Imraan Khan, Yusuf Abdullah. Abdulla was from mosquito Valley. Your views Aslam?
aslam: Long overdue! This I believe is a tip of the iceberg. Opportunities must be given, but our lads have to work hard and learn not to give up. The vital aspect that lacks in our cricket is the apathy among parents to help and create a support system for the talented sportsman. Very few allow their kids to find a balance in their academic and sporting life. The boys too are distracted with issues outside sport and this is why we loose them. Things come too easy in life yet the boys you have mentioned apart from Bodi, come from privileged backgrounds but had great support from parents who I know personally.

swoosh: Do you think the development structure in Gauteng will surely put more of our up and coming youngsters on the map?
aslam: Don’t depend on development structures for boys to progress through the grades. A lot of work has to be done within the communities and clubs in respective areas. Only the truly outstanding ones are given a few breaks and many potential boys have slipped through the system because of favouritism in selection.

swoosh: Let’s talk about Hash, Do you know him personally. What type of a guy is he? I know some Oldsters in the plaza were lambasting him about his technique. How do you rate Hash?
aslam: In the mould of Sobers and Lara for his technique – need I say more?! A great human being down to earth but seriously focused on making his joy, his vocation into a career. He is a true young professional and determined to succeed and that is why he values his wicket. If opportunities come the right way and at the right time – he WILL captain the country or even come close.

swoosh: It’s great to see Hash as an ambassador of Islam and representing his country at test level. How would you perceive South African Cricket of embracing a man of this stature?
aslam: Everyone appreciates and respects people with AKHLAQ. Hashim has transcended the stereotypical attitudes of people by demonstrating the simplicity that is ISLAM and his strong will and character as a Muslim and a sportsman. He is actually an Icon for people of ALL denominations in South Africa as reflected at levels up to parliament when he forgave Dean Jones.

swoosh: So how is Supersport going? Can you tell us more about commentating? Is it an art form? Does technology make things much easier in terms of Stats etc? Or do you have to go in and study things on certain matches?
aslam: I only sit in as an analyst on Supersport when the Proteas are playing away. I am very much involved as a commentator on Radio 2000’s ball-by-ball coverage. Mostly happens when South Africa play at home. I toured the West Indies and India.
It is an art form and it is vital to paint, draw, and illustrate the live picture to your audience. If it is appreciated then you have succeeded in the art of commenting. The language of cricket is special and demanding and the spoken word cannot be retracted, so it is a huge responsibility.
Technology has made broadcasting easy no doubt, but radio’s principle is that you watch the live action and not the monitor. It is only used for reference. Stats are on hand all the time with the internet on hand, but preparation is a must and short term and long term history and the understanding of the game enriches the commentary.

swoosh: I presume you have been to some of the greatest Cricketing Arenas in the World. Please tell us about the atmosphere and how that respective culture embraces the game of Cricket?
aslam: Cultures are embraced by cricket and vice-versa. I think each ground has its own special ambiance. The Wanderers is the best place to be in South Africa. Its high stands and bullring like feel, gives it an atmosphere like no other. Kolkota’ Eden Gardens is special because of the capacity its holds. The spectators are boisterous and bay for the oppositions scalp and for the local hero to perform. Lords is as traditional as it gets and the history of the arena and the game comes alive when the leather hits the willow. There is no place like it!

swoosh:To date what has been the best ground that you have visited and why would you say so. Look mind you the Bullring at night is equally sublime?
aslam:I agree that the bullring is even better at night. For sheer majesty and setting, Newlands at the foot of Table Mountain is a classic venue. Eden Gardens can hold over 90 000 and have over 8000 policeman around and outside the ground. The volumes just boggle my mind. But very organised I must say!!

swoosh: Obviously you have also seen a lot of the greats in your time live. Which one of the greats have you seen live producing a phenomenal performance on the day? Does Lara’s record breaking inning stand out? Maybe Warne , Tendulkar
aslam: They are all geniuses in their own right. Lara’s 192 in Port-of-Spain (his home ground) against South Africa was to me a pure demonstration of commanding the stage. Every challenge meted out by Smith’s boys was simply nullified by the genius of Lara. He made my hair stand and actually evoked emotion in me in appreciation of what we were witnessing. There is no batsman in my mind better than Lara, and he is probably the best the game has seen. I haven’t seen Tendulkar perform his heroics live, but he is a classic batsman and his ability to produce the perfect shots throughout an innings speaks of the natural gifts that he is endowed with. Warne’s records speak for themselves. But he is credited for bringing a dying art back into the game and he deserves the accolade as one of five great cricketers of the century.

swoosh: Who would you rate as the greatest Cricketer of the modern Generation?
aslam: Gary Sobers, because he did it all! There will not be another cricketer who will dominate his era as Sobers did. He was a quiet giant who strode the world like a colossus. He was the ultimate all-rounder and if one emerges like him, that nation will dominate the game. There is none!

swoosh: If you had to send any cricketer from Past to present to the crease to bat for your life, who would that be?
aslam: Sunil Manohar Gavaskar of India. Scorer of the highest number of centuries, (34 until recently) and the first to reach 10 000 runs. He broke Donald Bradman’s record of 29 centuries in 1984, which stood for over 40 years. He was an opener and faced the most hostile bowling the game had ever seen in any era, including the present. He withstood and mastered the best paceman and the most beguiling His innings of 188 for the World XI in 1987 at Lords against an MCC XI was a stage to demonstrate to his contemporaries just who was THE master of his age. I saw it and it will live in my memory forever. It also doesn’t count in his record of 34 hundreds. He can bat anytime, anywhere, anyplace – he will save the world!

swoosh: Obviously you and guys like Dr Moosajee are involved in the Gauteng Setup or development. Good to see him as the National team Doctor as well. What does the future hold in a nutshell for Gauteng Cricket?
aslam: I am not involved at all a Gauteng level. As far as the future is concerned, we need HONEST and committed men and women, who can put the game ahead of self-fulfilment.

swoosh:Let’s talk about our National team and I would be really interested to hear your views on this. First of all what do you think of the current Squad?
aslam: It’s a good squad. Although I think after the retirement of players, the new lot have found it a little hard to settle in. There is a lot of passion and commitment. I will not go into the issues of spinners etc, safe to say that we don’t and have virtually never had, captains who could use spinners to their optimum. The reason: players have seldom captained spinners even at club level long enough to understand the idiosyncrasies involved.

swoosh: Will we honestly put up a fight or maybe win it?
aslam: The world cup? Why not? World cups are not always won by the best team but by the teams that peaks at the right time. It could go anyway. The Aussies were the best team in 2003 and Clive Lloyds Windies were favourites in 1975 and 1979 when they won it. The other six tournaments produced surprise winners!

swoosh: Lots of guys are saying Hash should be in the one day team. Don’t you think it’s too soon? Can we expect a whole different team maybe. There are some ‘bajyas’ there at the moment?
aslam: He is certainly in the frame. Apart from his form, his general calm demeanour will stand him in good stead. The squad is virtually settled, yet I think that there may be a few surprises as to some who may not make it!!

swoosh: What do you think of
a) Graeme Smith as a Captain. As a leader. Is there anyone else who could do a better job?

aslam: He got it because there was no one else, and a world trend was followed to start a young captain and have him there for a long time. He has grown accustomed a lot easier than initially thought. Experience is the best teacher and he can only get better.
b) Goolam Bodi making the World Cup Squad as opening batsmen and to think he used to be a bowler.
aslam: He should have been allowed to express himself and learn by trial and error. Somehow the system doesn’t allow that and the game is poorer for it. Don’t be surprised he sneaks into the reckoning. He is much matured player and is not afraid.

swoosh:So your predictions of the following tours India & Pakistan? aslam: South Africa is good at home and India’s bowling poses no real threat. Pakistan can if all their top bowlers play. Whether Shoaib Akhtar and Mohamed Asif make is left to be seen. The Proteas should still win the one-dayers and the Tests. It wont be easy and reputations don’t produce positive results, so don’t be complacent is my message.

swoosh: I just have to ask you this one Aslam. What do think of the Pakistani Cricket team? We all know on their day they can beat anyone. But look at Shoaib and his Drug scandal. They usually come to SA for a holiday. Well not all of them. I’ve seen them in action off the field. All I’m saying is will they put up a descent tour or will we see them at the PALMS on Saturday Nights?
aslam: Hopefully they produce the dashing and superb brand of cricket that only they can produce. South Africans will enjoy them when at their best.

swoosh: Also A lot of my Uncles talk about the “MEAN MACHINE”. My late uncle Ismael Kola was a die hard Transvaal guy. Were they an awesome outfit back in the day? Who were some of their best players?

aslam: They were awesome for sure. They would have taken on any Test line-up and they were the best provincial/state team in the world. S Africa was in isolation that meant all top players were involved and the quality was very good. Sylvester Clarke, Graeme Pollock, Clive Rice, Jimmy Cooke, Rupert Hanley, Henry Fotheringham, Alan Kourie, Alvin Kallicharran, Vince van Der Bijl are some names that come to mind.

swoosh: Thanks Aslam for coming On-Line and sharing your views. To conclude what would be your advice for any up and Coming Youngsters that want to pursue a career in Cricket?
aslam: Hard work; develop the love for the game, understand it through watching and reading and never believe that success will be put on the plate. It comes with vision and commitment from all who matter around the individual. Never curb the natural instincts – jus nature it. Viv Richards was the prime example.

Thanx for the interview. Visit our website: http://www.boundarybreakers.co.za/ or email me on: aslamcricket@polka.co.za

Ok see you at the Khota’s or the Wanderers.
Thanks Alam it was indeed a pleasure to have you on-line.Good luck.
Naseem