***“I don’t play for records. I do what the team wants me to do. Basically I am a team man.”**

As good a wicketkeeper as anybody in international cricket today, Ridley Detamore Jacobs is the unsung hero of the West Indies. The Antigun has been a breath of fresh air for a Caribbean side that has struggled to find a keeper who is also a competent batsman ever since Jeffry Dujon retired in 1992. Jacobs made his debut for the West Indies in the one- day series against the touring New Zealanders in 1996 at the age of 28, but had to wait for another two years before playing his first Test match (against South Africa in 1998). Jacobs was a standout in that series. He took some stupendous catches and batted far better than his more illustrious colleagues, getting the highest aggregate of the tour, 317, and the highest average of 45.28. Not surprisingly, his superb efforts made him the man-of-the-series for the West Indies in an otherwise forgettable tour where they suffered a 5-0 humiliation. However, there was no looking back for Jacobs, who has since established as one of the most dependable members of his team. Jacobs has a very respectable average of 32.45 in Tests and proved quite a revelation with his attacking stroke-play when given the chance to open in one-dayers. The left-hander was the star batsman for the West Indies in the 1999 World Cup where he showed tremendous determination in scoring over 200 runs and in the same tournament became only the fourth batsman ever to carry his bat through an innings (49 not out against Australia). A devout Christian, the quiet and composed Jacobs is a private person. He lets his faith guide him through the rigours of modern-day cricket.

Rabeed Imam of Daily Star Sport caught Ridley Jacobs at the Sonargaon Hotel lobby last Thursday. This is what they talked about.Daily Star Sport (DSS): When did you start playing

Ridley Jacobs (RJ): I started at age 17 for the Leeward Island youth team and then I played for the Antigua youths.

DSS: You had your International debut against the touring New Zealand team In 1995-96. Why do you think you got selected?

RJ: Well. I played against Pakistan for the West Indies 'A' team and made a hundred against them before the New Zealand tour. Basically. I was selected for the one-day matches. You know that one-day cricket is a lot different from the Test matches. You will not get too many overs to bat coming in at number seven or eight and in the last five or six overs, it is slogging time and you have to pick the ball and score a lot of runs. I think I was selected as an attacking option in batting.

DSS: Who were your idols when you were a youngster?

RJ: It was Viv (Richards/. We were from the same island. Everybody admired the way he played. I mean, he was so dominating in everything he did... batting, fielding and even bowling. And as captain, he was always in command. I looked up to him. He was my Idol at that time.

DSS: Viv Richards, as you have said, was your idol. He had been involved on an interim basis with the WesHndles team recently. How was the experience of having him around?.

RJ: The kind of personality Viv is, he can bring out the best in any player. He had an awesome influence on the team. I'm sure, given the opportunity, he will do a great fob.

DSS: Did wicket-keeping come naturally to you?

RJ: Weil, it was a natural thing. I used to practise for my Village club, ana one. dau they asked me to keep. From then on Ifust did IL I enjoyed IL

DSS: What do you think is the most Important job of a wicketkeeper?

RJ: I guess it is motivating the team. When things are not

going your way that's when motivation is most needed. And it's my Job to lift the side's morale. I have to stay one step ahead of the others.

DSS: At the age of 28 you were relatively a late entry into the West Indies main team. Were you disappointed at not getting the chance earlier?

RJ: This life is a twosome reality. These kinds of things happen. I didn't mind that a lot of other guys got the chance ahead of me. I always believed that if you wait and work hard, your day would come. I am a re-. ligious person and my faith had pulled me through those times.

DSS: It's important for wicketkeepers to work very hard on their fitness. How much work do you put on?

RJ: / train a lot. I do a lot of hard work in maintaining my fitness level.

DSS: What does it mean to you to be a part of the West Indies team?

RJ: It's a great feeling. You are built up to play positive cricket. You put your heart and soul into the team. You work hard and, at the end of the day when there is success, it's very satisfying. It is a nice feeling playing at the highest level

DSS: Why do you think the West Indies failed in the last World Cup?

RJ: I think the batting let us down. Our bowlers did a fantastic Job. but we didn't have enough runs to play with.

DSS: When afi the other batsmen In your team were struggling in the ill-fated series against South Africa and in the 1999 World Cup in England, you had been in tremendous form. What do you think was the reason?

RJ: It was a very disappoint Ing series against South Africa and we couldn't pick ourselves up in the World Cup also. As for my success, well I put my trust in God and it was he. there was no other reason. I guess it was my turn to come good.

DSS: Do you consider yourself a wicketkeeper who can bat a bit or are you a specialist batsman?

RJ: Of course I can be a specialist batsman. It all depends on the situation really. I have scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket. I have Jive first-class hundreds and a lot of half-centuries. I consider myself a genuine batsman.

DSS: Your batting form since you started opening in one-day internationals has been wonderful. Are you enjoying it?

RJ: Definitely. I am getting more chances to settle in and then go for the shots, which tn my normal position I wouldn't have got.

DSS: Why do you think the West Indies are struggling in batting these days?

RJ: Well, that's life. It's not like every time you go out there you are going to score runs. There will be times when runs will be very hard to come by. We have a lot of young players and it's Just a matter of time before things start to happen for us.

DSS: You have kept wicket for some of the greatest fast bowlers of our time... Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. Did you find it very challenging?

RJ: Well. Ambrose and I come from the same village (Swetes). so I have been his wicketkeeper since youth. That's why keeping wicket to Ambrose. Walsh or the other fast bowlers has been quite natural for me.

DSS: Among the bowlers for whom you have kept, who do you consider as the fastest?

RJ: I guess it is Nixon McLean.

DSS: And the fastest you have faced?

RJ: Shoaib Akhter is the quickest bowler I have faced, but Wasim Akram has been the most difficult. You see Akhter has only pace, but Wasim is a much better bowler because he does things with the balL You have lo Ire always on your toes against Wasim.

DSS: What about Glenn McGrath?

RJ: McGrath is basically line and length. He Just stays there all day. very difficult to get away.

DSS: Who do you regard as the best wicketkeeper?

RJ: Ian Healy. I rate him as the best wicketkeeper in the world. He makes it look so easy.

DSS: Being a professional cricketer nowadays has become a hectic affair. You are always travelling and you don't seem to have much of a social life. How are you coping with it?

RJ: Well It's not too hard for me because I am not engaged with anything and I am not married. I enjoy travelling. But sometimes you miss your family and a couple of days with them can cheer you up because you are away for most of the time.

DSS: What do you enjoy more—Tests or one-dayers?

RJ: Test cricket, because of its challenge. One-day cricket is explosive but in Tests you have to work for your runs and the field placing makes it all the more difficult. In Tests you are playing against the best and its more demanding physically. All these aspects make Tests challenging and I like to experience that.

DSS: How do you rate your skipper Brian Lara?

RJ: He is a fine captain. You see everybody needs some time to settle in and people should understand that. He Is a great player and I'm sure when he is through he will be ranked as one of the greatest. He is doing OK. I wish him all the best.

DSS: Who do you think will take over the mantle of Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh once they are through with their career?

RJ: Well, we have exciting quick bowlers like Mervyn

Dillon. Reon King, Pedro Collins. Nixon McLean. Correy Colly more. Franklyn Rose... to name a few. And there are some other guys back home. I think these bowlers are more than capable of delivering the desired results in the future. We also have a number of good spinners. It's only a matter of time before they come good.

DSS: Tell us your views on the present batting sensation, Ricardo Powell?

RJ: You see. he has got everything - talent, timing, power. It is now up to him to stay focused, try and Improve his game all the time. He has the potential to become a great player.

DSS: What is the state of West Indies cricket now?

RJ: The West Indies Cricket Board is looking into the future. They are investing more on the youth, which is a very encouraging sign. I think the future is bright for the West Indies.

DSS: How is it like to have legendary former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd as manager of the side?

RJ: He has a great reputation. He has dominated in his time. He has had an enormous effect on the players, specially the fast bowlers. He has introduced some very positive things tn our game.

DSS: You have played against the Bangladesh team in the World Cup and also in the three-day match here. What is your opinion about the local side?

RJ: Well, they were very competitive in the three-day match and surprised us a bit. Cricket is on the way up here. As long as they play more matches against quality teams and keep working on their overall game. I think they should come up.

DSS: What do you do in your leisure time? Do you relax or go to parties?

RJ: I am not a partygoer. I prefer to relax. I do some meditating. read the Holy Bible and other spiritual books, listen to Gospel music. I go to the beaches also. I seldom watch television. Even when I am all by myself. I hardly turn on the television set

DSS: Do you set yourself targets?

RJ: Yes I do. Once a season isover, the opponents will analyse gour game and try to find weaknesses. So it is important to keep on improving and try to do better the following seasort

DSS: Are records important to you?

RJ: Not really. I don't play for records. 1 do what the team wants me to do. Basically I am a team man.

DSS: What do you see yourself doing once you are through with your career?

RJ: I am a teacher. I teach physical education at the Swetes Government School. I want to be an example to the youth. I see myself going back to teaching once 1 retire.

DSS: How long do you think you will carry on playing?

RJ: It all depends on the Almighty. If he wants. I may carry on for four or Jive more years. If he decides otherwise. I will step down earlier.