MiD DAY catches up with controversial former England left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell at Lord's
MiD DAY catches up with controversial former England left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell at Lord's
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Phil Tufnell was too hot to handle in his 11-year international career with England which started during the 1990-91 Ashes series and ended in the 2001 contest against Australia. Off the field more than on it.
Often, he was seen enjoying his cigarette and beer and yes, he kept the tabloid journalists busy especially when England were touring. That apart, he was his country's most successful spin bowler in the 1990s ufffd 121 wickets in 42 Tests.
Former England cricketer Phil Tufnell unveils a new and extreme hair style.
Pic/Getty Images
He now is seen at the Test Match Special commentary box and the popular Question of Sport show on television. According to Cricinfo, "In April 2003, he abruptly retired from first-class cricket to become the unlikely star of a reality TV show."
Philip Clive Roderick Tufnell was a character!
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The 45-year-old former England and Middlesex star spoke to MiD DAY as rain ruined the first day's play of the Lord's Test between India and England yesterday.
Excerpts from a chat:
Are you disappointed to see a lack of characters in the game? Characters like you...
Every generation has its characters. There are still a lot of them in the game. When I played, we enjoyed ourselves. There seemed to be a lot of freedom then. Nowadays, you are escorted here and there.
Would you have survived this kind of regime?
Sure, I would have survived. But in the short time since I have retired I have seen changes in the game... huge changes. It's fine because the game is moving forward. These guys are superstars now. At the end of the game, I could go down to the Tavern and have a pint, a beer and a chat. But you cannot do that now. One of the reasons I liked cricket was because I could witness an affinity with the crowd. Players now can still have that interaction and let us hope cricket does not lose that.
Looking back, would you say that you could have done much more?
Obviously. I had a fantastic time. I enjoyed myself every time I put on an England shirt. I enjoyed touring countries and making a lot of friends. I have no regrets.
No regrets when it comes to the controversial times too?
Controversy... I never did anything that bad. When I was playing cricket, if you put the wrong shirt on, you were a bad boy. If you didn't have a shave, you were a bad boy. In those days, you didn't have to do too much to get a bad name. But yeah, looking back, I was a young man and as a young man you do some things, which are a bit na ve. Again, no regrets. I tried to play my cricket with a smile on my face and keep it there.
I enjoyed spin bowling. I loved the way you built the whole over. You try to outthink the batsman. I liked the whole duel aspect of cricket and we are going to have some great duels in this series - Harbhajan vs Swann; Swann vs Tendulkar. I can't wait to see that.u00a0 I am a great supporter of Test cricket.
What do you do now?
I do commentary on Test Match Special (TMS) which is fantastic. It is an honour to work with the guys there. I have grown up listening to TMS on the radio. So I was delighted when they asked me to come along and do some work for them.
I am enjoying my TMS commentary and we have the best seat in the houseu00a0-- you don't have to go out there and face the fast bowlers... we just have a chat.
Also, I do Question of Sport (a television quiz show). I am quite busy.
I would like to get into coaching but at the moment very busy.
Are you happy with the world of spin after the retirement of Warne, Kumble and Murali?
Yes. We have two great spinners on show in this Test match - Graeme Swann Harbhajan Singh. And nice to see some finger spinners because there was a time when you had to be a leg-spinner or you have to have these balls which were different. It is so nice to see that orthodox spin bowling can still create a lot of problems in Test cricket with these flat pitches and whatever. I think the world of spin is alright. A couple of big holes to fill... Warne, Murali, Kumble but this is the opportunity now for these young fellows.
Are you surprised that India does not have a specialist left-arm spinner?
Yes I am. Teams nowadays like to go in with a four-man attack which usually means three seamers and one spinner. Like England... they have won seven series with this four-man bowling attack. They might have to change this with India's batting line-up if the sun comes out and if they play on some flat pitches. If you play with only four bowlers, all four have to be at the top of their game. If one has a bad day, you are in trouble. There might be room for another bowler.
Where India is concerned, I am surprised that there is no left-arm spinner. India is where the love for spin comes from. You remember guys like Bishan Singh Bedi and others. Leggie Amit Mishra is not a bad bowler though. We have addressed the spin problem here with a lot of clinics and we have some good leg-spinners coming through like Durham's Scott Borthwick. Lot of counties are playing leggies these days.
Do you recall depriving Sachin Tendulkar of a probable Test century on his home ground at Mumbai in 1992-93?
Yes, I got him leg before wicket (for 78). I remember Piloo Reporter, the umpire... that fellow with glasses.
Even when I bowled to him then, you could see what a fantastic player he was going to be. He has been a great ambassador for the game; has always handled stardom very well and allowed his bat do the talking. I'm proud that I bowled to him and I always tried to get him out.
What hopes do you have of Monty Panesar's return to the England squad?
Swann has got the No 1 spot for sure. If England go over to India, I think they will pick Monty, but there are a couple of these leggies coming up. Borthwick looks good but I think Monty will be the No 2 spinner.
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