My Sport: Hansie Cronje (20 Jul 1998)

20 July 1998

My Sport: Hansie Cronje

Interview by Gareth A Davies.

Watching my dad, Ewie, playing cricket at the Ramblers in Bloemfontein for Free State. He was a terrific sportsman who also played tennis and rugby for Free State.

At school, my brother Frans and I tried our hand at most sports: tennis, rugby, cricket and distance running, 10km, 21km and marathons. I enjoyed a round of golf, or squash, but that was more social. I played Free State schools and under-20 rugby with the likes of Pieter Muller, Brendan Venter and Ruben Kruger. I played at No 8 but I wasn't going to go a long way in the sport. Also, the fact that I was doing quite well at cricket made me realise that it would provide a bigger and brighter future.

Any sport where top players are competing. If it is basketball, I wouldn't mind watching the Chicago Bulls, or if it's golf, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods or Colin Montgomerie. I watch most sports.

That's a difficult one because I never really decided on it. It happened automatically. I went to university to do a Bachelors degree in commerce from 1988-1991. During that time I played provincial cricket for Free State. It was a part-time job but it paid enough to get me through university without having to work. South Africa were re-admitted into international cricket at the end of 1991 and I was fortunate enough to join them early in 1992. So I never really had a day of work in my life.

A lot of funny things have happened. The most recent was listening to 80,000 people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground shouting "Symcox is a ******!" Pretty impressive stuff. Another one was when David Callaghan was fielding wearing Brian McMillan's trousers. He dived for a ball, picked it up, and the trousers were around his ankles. He couldn't decide what to do first - throw the ball back or pull up his trousers. The batsmen ended up running three when they should have got one.

A number of people have played a big part. My dad, Johan Volsteedt, who was my coach at school, Franklyn Stephenson, the professional at Free State when I was captain, Eddie Barlow, Allan Donald and the assistant coach on tour, Corrie Van Zyl.

Playing in your first Test match is always very special. In my case it was against the West Indies in 1992 in Barbados. It was also my worst day of cricket, because we ended up getting bowled out for 148 chasing 200 on the last day. At one point we needed 78 with eight wickets standing.

Otherwise the most memorable are the two wins at Lord's in 1994 and 1998 and beating Australia in Sydney [South Africa won by five runs to clinch the series with Kepler Wessels injured and Cronje as temporary captain].

Kids often ask: "Who is the fastest bowler you have faced?"

Wasim Akram has bowled the quickest at me.

I don't really have any regrets. If I could have it all over again, I would do it exactly the same.

There are so many good grounds. Wanderers in South Africa; the Gabba in Brisbane.

I don't think there is too much to be changed. The administrators are doing a good job. But I'd like to see the introduction of a Test World Cup.

My top three: Borg versus McEnroe at a Wimbledon final; South Africa against the All Blacks in the World Cup final of 1995, because I didn't see it. And a day at the Masters, watching Ernie Els beat Tiger Woods in a play-off.

I appreciate all different skills. But if I had to choose one, then it would be sailing.

As well as it can be without America involved. If America did play international cricket, we would see how big the game could be.

Daryll Cullinan is a tremendously talented sportsman. Outside cricket, Pete Sampras can step up a gear when it really matters.

Jonty Rhodes. You never get any sleep because he's always coming in at 6am.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)