Deccan Chargers and West Indies tearaway Fidel Edwards spoke exclusively to espnstar.com on a host of issues.

By Sudeer Mahavaadi

Q: How important is this tourney for you and how eagerly you are waiting?

Ans: Well it is very important for me as it is for many others. A good tournament I reckon will test everyone's abilities.

We are very confident as a team. We shall be certainly hoping for some good starts. A lot of good teams are taking part and that will make this tourney very interesting and exciting, I believe.

Q: What about the Trinidad and Tobago?

Ans: I personally believe they hold a pretty good chance in this version of the game. In fact, they have done well in the last two-three years back home in domestic cricket. I am sure they must be equally eager to play in India as others. They cannot be taken for granted. They can really produce some good entertaining cricket.

Q: Dwayne Bravo said in an interview that players are very serious to play in Australia - your opinion?

Ans: Yes we are all very serious about playing and offering our services to the country. Hope it will be a new start for all of us and also hope things will become normal. We all have to perform because everyone is waiting for the opportunities to come back into the team.

Q: How frustrating has it been for others and you, watching the second-rated West Indies lose every time?

Ans: Well it has really been pretty disappointing indeed. But again you have to take that day by day. Personally, I am trying to get back. I was injured in England and have been working hard on my fitness. Probably it would really been more frustrating for others than me since I have been plagued by injuries. We have not played since our series in England. We are all eagerly awaiting. That is our main job too.

Q: Of all the fast bowlers Kemar Roach looked better in that second-rated West Indies team.

Ans: Yes, he is a very good fast bowler. I know him personally because we played together with the A team. He is very quick and on his day he is really difficult to face.

Q: To produce bowlers like Garner, Marshall, Holding is never easy. But do you personally think the West Indies still can have bowlers who can win matches in future?

Ans: Well that is always an interesting question. You are right we cannot even dream of having such wonderful talent. But there is some good talent in this department back home. The guys are working hard to perform. Many people still love cricket. You know they are all our role models.

Even I remember how much I enjoyed their bowling as a child watching them on television. But we are all striving to perform. You can't really expect an immediate revival of our past glory but surely we can have better times.

Q: How challenging is it for fast bowlers to bowl on Indian wickets?

Ans: Well I have not played much in big matches. Yes I remember playing in some Champions Trophy matches here. It is tough but if you stick to your basics you can give some good performances.

Q: Well talking about the basics, Indian pacers seemed to have forgotten them in South Africa. Do you want to make any suggestions to RP Singh, who is your colleague in the Deccan Chargers?

Ans: Well you should not always blame the bowlers for the defeats. I thought they bowled well at times. But what I personally believe is, as I mentioned, stick to your basics everywhere. Even I too get excited, but I love bowling fast. They are all matured and they know better. I always believe in one thing - that is train hard and stay committed.

Q: How often have you taken advice from bowlers like Garner and others?

Ans: First of all I don't regularly meet them. But I always tried to watch them seriously on television and pick a trick or two. Yes, Ambrose and Walsh did pass on some important suggestions whenever I met them. I still learn from them. They have been pretty supportive.

Q: What type of wickets would you love to bowl on?

Ans: Well I have always enjoyed bowling in Jamaica, my home. I also enjoy bowling in England conditions. But it is a challenge at other places.

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