Indians and Pakistanis are the nicest set of people I have met: Kesrick Williams

West Indies death over specialist Kesrick Williams took the internet by storm, courtesy his latest exclusive interview with International Cricket Network 360 (ICN 360). During the interview Yash Khandor of ICN 360 engaged in a heart-to-heart conversation with the Caribbean quick and the duo discussed about Williams’ early days in cricket, Caribbean Premiere League, and ofcourse the famous notebook celebration.

Excerpts from the interview:

How are you coping with this COVID pandemic?

Fortunately the situation in West Indies is not that bad. We have somewhere around right cases. But still is important for us to take good care of ourselves. This is a very usual time as we are not used to being home for such long periods of time. However I am making sure that I make the most of the time at home. I have been training in-house to keep myself fit.

It is known that you have had a topsy-turvy ride making your way into the West Indies side. Can you tell us about your early days in cricket?

From the very day I started playing cricket, I knew one thing for sure that cricket is going to be a challenging sport. I feel, in cricket there are going to be ups and downs and if you are not facing any ups and downs then probably you are not playing cricket. During my U-15 days I struggled for four years to make it to my U-15 domestic team, unfortunately I couldn’t. Despite trying so hard and not achieving success, I didn’t quit. I persisted with my effort and finally made it to the U-19 team. Later in 2011, when I was about 21, I made my first class debut for Windward Islands. In the next season, I played for Combined Campuses.Finally in 2016 when I hit the headlines with my stellar performance in Caribbean Premiere League, I got a national call.

You played for Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and were also the leading wicket-taker of the team. Can you tell us about your experience?

After hanging around in the domestic circuit for around seven-eight years, I got a chance to play the Caribbean Premiere League. I remember I was training like a beast just before the CPL. I was picked up by Jamaica Tallawahs. It was indeed a matter of pride for me to play alongside some of the biggest international cricketers in the CPL.On my debut I had butterflies in my stomach. My parents and my friends were watching the game and I did not want to let them down. I went on to the field with full of confidence. I opened the bowling alongside Dale Steyn and in my very first over I had Evin Lewis caught at mid on. Then towards the end of the innings I got the better of Thisara Perera and Brad Hodge in the same over. My 3-23 in four overs helped me to bag the Man of the Match in my debut game. The CPL was a wonderful platform for me to showcase my talent. Apart from my performance, I feel grateful to have played alongside some of the Indian and Pakistani cricketers and I feel they are the nicest set of people I have met.

How are things between you and Chadwick Walton after you celebrated his wicket with your famous notebook celebration?

We are really close friends. He is probably first of my few friends when I was playing regional cricket. We met in Barbados for the first time. I went there on scholarship from my university to play cricket. Since then we used to have a friendly banter. I remember in one of the practice sessions on the Christmas day I hit him on the helmet and I said, “Merry Christmas.” A week later on the new year day he hit me for runs and said, “Happy new year.” It was in Guyana when I got him out and I celebrated his wicket with my notebook celebration. I said to him, “Chadwick Walton your name is now in my book.” It was just another friendly fight and we are still in touch.

That brings me to the Virat Kohli notebook celebration saga. Tell us about that

I remember as soon as Kohli walked in to bat he came up to me and said that the notebook celebration is not going to work and he would make sure that it does not work. He smashed me for runs and did 'notebook celebration himself. Every ball that I bowled to him, he would have something to say. I once responded, “Mate, just shut up and bat. Really, you sound like a child, but all Kohli heard was, "Can you just bat and shut up.”

You also played for Karnataka Tuskers in the Abu Dhabi T10. Tell us about your experience.

Yes, I played for Karnataka Tuskers in the T10 tournament, however could not play all the games. T10 is a lot faster than T20. I remember in my first match I went for some 22- odd runs in two overs and I was pissed off. But then Tom Moody backed me to come out strong. I feel he has been a good support and I hope to play the full season next time.

Now that you have played in several global T20 leagues, if you get a chance to play IPL, which team would you like to play for?

There is no specific team as such that I would like to play for. I am open to playing for any team. But still if I had an option to choose I would say RCB because of Kohli. I like the way he plays his cricket. He wants to be the Ronaldo and Messi of cricket. There are a lot of people who have issues with his attitude, but I feel if you want to be number one you cannot act average and in case of Kohli he is already number one, so he definitely cannot act average. Apart from RCB, I like CSK because of Bravo and MSD. Someday, I would like to be like Bravo and about Dhoni I feel he is the calmest players I have ever met. I also have one friend from Chennai who is a part of the cancer foundation. He is a wonderful guy

Who are your favourite players other than the West Indies cricketers?

I like Mohammad Shahzad of Afghanistan for his batting. He is also a cool guy to hang around with. Among the bowlers, I like Liam Plunkett and Haris Rauf. I have played CPL and BPL with them. Then I also like Ryan Burl from Zimbabwe and yes, Mahmudullah.

Who is the toughest batsman to bowl to in T20s and who is the next in your list for notebook celebration?

I feel the Universe Boss (Chris Gayle) is the toughest to bowl to. We have hardly played much cricket together apart from the CPL and BPL (Bangladesh Premier League). But yes I would like to have the Universe Boss in my notebook (chuckles). The other batsman on the list is Kieron Pollard and I can’t wait to get him out.

You made your international debut with T20 cricket and you have played different T20 leagues across the globe. Do you see yourself playing Test cricket as well?

When I started playing cricket I always wanted to play Test cricket ofcourse along side limited overs cricket. I feel playing Test cricket wearing those whites gives you a different feeling altogether. However if you ask me now, I think it is well past my time to don the whites. However if I get a chance I will be more than happy to do so. As of now I am happy with my white ball cricket.

Many times we come across comparisons being made between the current West Indies team and that of the 70s. Does the comparison bother you?

I feel that the players who played for West Indies way back in the 70s were legends and I think their shoes are really big ones to fill. Back in those days, the guys played some amazing cricket. I believe that every team goes through a patch and a different era throws a different set of players. We are in transition phase and we are slowly and steadily finding our feet. There is no doubt our T20 side is one of the best in the world but our 50-overs and Test team are still work-in-progress.

Rapid fire

One person with whom you don’t want to share your room

Shimron Hetmyer

Who has the worst bowling action?

Sohail Tanvir

Who has the smoothest bowling action?

Jerome Taylor

Who has the best celebration in cricket?

Kesrick Williams himself

Who is the cricketer you admire the most?

Andre Fletcher

One person from any other team that you would like to have in your team

Virat Kohli

If not a cricketer what would you be?

Singer

Who is your favourite captain?

Darren Sammy and Mahmudullah

Who is your favourite batsman?

Babar Azam

Who is your favourite bowler?

Dale Steyn

Who is your favourite fielder?

Fabien Allen

Who is your favourite room partner?

Ryan John

Do you have any superstition?

Before every match, I go to the toilet, sit on the seat and just randomly talk to myself

Which batsmen would you not like to bowl to?

Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, AB de Villiers

Which is your favourite ground?

Wankhede, Mumbai

Towards the end, Williams thanked the fans for their unconditional support and expressed, “Without you people we are nothing. Thank you for your support. It is your support that helps us do well.” He also gave a message to the young and budding cricketers, “Never give up. There are going to be ups and downs, injuries, and setbacks. Make sure you have your plans ready. Do whatever you can do. As a youngster keep on doing things that you are doing. Hard work will bring success. When skills fail hard work comes to your rescue.”

Source: ICN360