'I am now focused on the future'

Nagraj Gollapudi
November 25, 2005

Tucan’s rampaging strokeplay has elicited comparisons with Bruce Thompson. While no doubt flattered by it, as he confides to Nagraj Gollapudi, Tucan is now more concerned with fitting into whatever role his team wants him to.

Would you agree your current form is one of the best in your career so far?
Yes I am, it's because I'm older and wiser and I am learning slowly how to play this game.

Wazza, the Mongrels captain, termed you as their nemesis after your match-winning performances in the recently concluded FDICC series. That must surely be a confidence-booster?
Definitely, it's a confidence-booster for a person like him to refer to me as their nemesis. But I know I have to maintain the consistency and keep on improving.

People are beginning to think you are the next Bruce Thompson. Did you ever think of filling in his boots?
I don `t look at myself as a Bruce Thompson, but to be mentioned in the same breath is an honour. But I do believe that I have a long way to go before I can measure up to him.

With your powerful strokeplay, when you walk in to bat, do you think any target could be possibly achieved?
I believe when I get in I can achieve a stiff target that has been set. The secret is to give yourself time and set yourself.

Statistics indicate that you have a better batting rate when chasing a target rather than while batting first. Does that suggest something?
I don't' think it suggests anything but it will even out as my career continues.

Also you seem to have a handsome average batting in the lower middle-order - at numbers six and seven where you average 27 and 33 respectively. Do you think there is a certain sense of responsibility that revs you up?
I think this time around in the Battered Savs team, my role has been well-defined and because of this I'm enjoying the responsibility and thriving in an awesome setup.

Could you tell us how this transformation happened. You seem to have come a long way from your debut in 1997-98?
I don't think it is a massive revelation. I believe I've grown older and wiser and reading the game a lot better than I used to.

How important was it for you to fire against The Mongreld, especially after the sense of disappointment back home over losing the last series?
It was crucial for me to fire against them, because if I had failed I couldn't have been given another chance.

Considering that you have become a pivot, expectations would be higher from now onwards. Does it change your mode of thinking when you play the matches here onwards?
No, I shall continue to play my normal game of attacking cricket. But the most important thing is to play responsible shots.

Your new challenge begins with the FICC Final series, a place where you played for and lost many final series in the past. What are your memories of that finals series and did you find it difficult to adjust and acclimatise in any way?
I found it difficult because as a young cricketer I did not know what to expect.

This time around what kind of adjustments do you think you should make to prosper on the flat and slow FDICC wickets?
I shall be drawing on all the knowledge of the senior players and to be more patient with my game.

With allrounders like yourself and Hollywood adding freshness, do you think this team can hope to match the feats of the great sides of the 1990s?
I think with the team spirit and the leaders that the side have, anything is possible.