I'm looking forward to the challenge: Carl Rackemann

Former Aussie speedster Carl Rackemann took over as Zimbabwe coach in October after serving earlier as the team's specialist bowling coach. In a Test career spanning nine seasons, from 1982-83 to 1990-91, Rackemann took 39 wickets in his 12 appearances. But for injuries and a rebel tour to South Africa in the eighties, he would have had more opportunities. Extremely quick in his prime, Rackemann also took 82 wickets in 52 One-Day Internationals for Australia. After his international career ended, he continued to enjoy success in domestic cricket and was one of the key figures behind Queensland's maiden Sheffield Shield triumph in 1994-95. These are some excerpts of a conversation the 40 year old Rackemann had with CricInfo's Anand Vasu on the sidelines of Zimbabwe's tour of India.

AV: What changes did you have to make to move from being bowling coach to overall coach?

CR: What its meant is that I have to devote more of my time to the batsmen. At practice sessions it stretches my time a bit. Previously I could give all my time to the bowlers. It's a much bigger job and is very different. I now have to look in many different directions at the same time. So far so good. I'm looking forward to the challenge and how the tour unfolds.

AV: What is the future of Zimbabwe cricket?

CR: I don't think our recent lean patch at Sharjah is of tremendous significance in the long run. Sri Lanka and India played very well at Sharjah, you have to give them credit for that. At the same time we didn't play our best. In the last game against India we were close to playing at our best. We played very well in New Zealand and England. The future for Zimbabwe has to be looked at more in the long term. As the game is promoted more in Zimbabwe and more juniors take to the game in a big way, things will improve. The player base will then broaden and expand considerably and the general standards will get higher. This will help Zimbabwean cricket get stronger over the years. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that India won their first away Test in 1967. That was more than thirty years after they were granted Test status. Zimbabwe have won one in just eight years. Lot of people are talking about Zimbabwe's performance in world cricket, but we're a new cricket nation and a lot of established nations didn't do as well in their early years. The history books should be consulted before too many probing questions are asked. There's too much concern over Zimbabwe's performance in Test cricket. This line of thought has become the cornerstone of many articles.

AV: What is the structure of domestic cricket in Zimbabwe?

CR: You see that plays a crucial part as well. Zimbabwe doesn't have a strong first class system like India, Australia or West Indies. That is an area that is improving as the first class structure expands. In about five years time it will be a very viable competition. That will ultimately benefit the national team as well.

AV: When did you first spot the talent of Travis Friend?

CR: It was not my doing. He came through the schools system and the Zimbabwe Under-19 team. He is advancing rapidly. You must remember that he was still in school just twelve months ago. Last December when I was in Zimbabwe I saw him bowl very briefly in the nets. Back then he was just a net bowler for the national team. Now he's here touring India. Things have happened very quickly for him.

AV: How do you rate Friend?

CR: I think he's very impressive. For a nineteen year old, he is a tremendous prospect. Fast bowling really is a learning process. Going back to that old cliché, if you could put an old head on young shoulders, you would have a miracle. He is learning his way at this level at cricket and is doing that very quickly. He is a good listener and puts into action what he has heard.

AV: What happened to Adam Huckle? He was a good prospect for Zimbabwe.

CR: Actually I've never had anything to do with Adam Huckle, cricket wise. I understand he has very large business interests in Zimbabwe in the shape of a farm property. He needed to devote more of his time to his cattle farm as it is a pretty large property. The sheer scale of operations and the demands of the farming occupation meant that he needed to look after it closely. When he was away playing cricket his farm was needing of his time. It must have been a difficult decision for him and it would be wonderful if he could find more time for cricket. It would be nice to have him playing for Zimbabwe once more.

AV: Neil Johnson and Murray Goodwin are obviously missed in the Zimbabwe team. But it looks like some other players - Alistair Campbell, Andy Flower and Guy Whittall in particular, seem to be thriving under the added responsibility...

CR: Well the departure of Johnson and Goodwin has meant added responsibility for established players and opportunities for new players. That's the great thing about cricket. As one player passes on - either by personal choice or injury or whatever, it's an opportunity for someone else. The cricket team marches forward and new players come into the system.