BERNARD JULIEN

I HAVE NO REGRETS

MY HEART AND SOUL ARE IN COACHING

by

Bernard Julien, as told to David Brewster

Express Section 2, November 29, 2001, p.1 and 3

Like the great Gary Sobers, Trinidad and Tobago's Bernard Julien was a sound batsman, apart from being a versatile bowler and a sharp fielder close to the wicket.

The critics believe that the parallel was part of Julien's problem and he never lived up to his early potential.

Described as "exquisitely handsome", Julien's liking for the good life also hindered his progress.

He smashed into the limelight as a 13-year-old prodigy, who represented Trinidad and Tobago primary schools on a two-week tour of Barbados, hitting an aggressive 78 in one of the matches. At 16 he had scored a double for St Mary's College.

A year later, he played for North against South in the then Beaumont Cup series. In one game he got a hattrick, eventually finished with eight for 58, opening with the new ball, and later switching to his left arm spin.

When he left the Test scene, he showed a log of 24 Tests - two centuries, three 50s, 866 runs at an average of 30.92.

He grabbed 50 wickets at a 37.36 average, a bit disappointing from a gifted player who had promised so much.

Today, a 51-year-old Julien is the resident head coach at Queen's Park Cricket Club.

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At 51 I believe I am still in fine shape. I still bowl two or three overs at the nets and at times I have bowled several top batsmen, including Test player Darren Ganga.

I have completed two advanced coaching courses. I am certified to coach cricket at the highest level.

I am very happy with my position, coaching the youths here at Queen's Park. In fact, I am happy to spend the rest of my days in the development of the game among young people. I don't really call it work. It's a wonderful atmosphere and the facilities are ideal.

I have an excellent working relationship with the administrative manager, Bryan Davis. He knows his cricket. We have a togetherness. I could not ask for a better person to work with. He is there for me all the time.

Generally, cricket has been good to me. I have no regrets, except that I did not play long enough. I blame nobody but myself for anything, but of course, if I had to do it all over again, I'd deal with many situations differently. Concerning that Gary Sobers comparison, where people branded me as the 'next Gary', well, that never worried me or went to my head in any way. I always tried to emulate Gary. He was, and still is, my idol. Naturally, it was splendid to be mentioned in the same sentence with a man like Gary Sobers. I always knew that there would never be another Sobers. But I admit, I felt good about it. I grew up as a little boy hearing that name. I used to say to myself, "I want a piece of Gary". And when I scored that Test century (122) at Lords with Sobers batting at the other end, I was really on cloud nine.

I was ecstatic. I will never, never forget that feeling. It was an unbelievable feeling - making a century at Lords, in company with Sobers! I was lambasted in 1983 when I went to play in South Africa with Lawrence Rowe's rebel side. To this day I have no regrets. I was out of a job for five years. I could not go to grocery and say, well, I am Bernard Julien, I am in need of groceries. I went to South Africa to play cricket, to practise my profession and earn money to support my family. People must understand that. I was under a lot of pressure from the public. They called me honorary white and a lot of dirty names. But I am sure our visit there in 1983 was a contributory factor in the dismantling of apartheid. I lived to see South Africans play at the Oval.

Nobody ever said the rebel team had that foresight or contributed in any way. We went to play cricket. It had nothing to do with apartheid and the people we played against knew that. The attack was unfair to us. But we survived it.

Another thing is that my so called penchant for the good life had been greatly exaggerated. Sure, I had a few girl friends. Remember, a Trini is a Trini.

It was no fault of mine that I was considered the 'nice boy' on the team. The girls just took to me. But once I was on the field, I performed. I always gave 100 percent.

Today, my heart and soul are in coaching. I have never reached a day late for a session at Queen's Park. I want to be part of the coaching academy, to be able to assess the youths, assist in the development. That's what I want. I have no desire at the moment to coach a West Indies side or anything like that. We have Under 14, Under 16, and Under 19, but no Under 23. The gap from Under 19 to big cricket is definitely too wide. We must have an Under 23 league or we will lose many at the wayside.

The youths must also understand that the word "representation" is a very significant word. When we put on the West Indies blazer or wear the maroon cap, we must understand that we are representing millions in the region.

I have seen people, after failing miserably at the crease, walk into the dressing room after getting out with earphones and cellphones.

It amazes me. In my time, if you fail, you want to mash up the bat. You want to hear nothing, not even a 'hard luck' from a teammate because you know you should have done better.

These fellows must show more concern. Some of them believe they know everything about the game. They believe they have reached the pinnacle because they are playing for big money. But they are not consistent. I want to see West Indies cricket back at the top where it belongs.

I know there are a lot of other attractions today. There is cable television and many other sports are booming, especially basketball. The youths must learn the rudiments of cricket. They want the fast and easy way out. But they have to work hard at the nets and take the sun.

Then there is the problem of nutrition. They are eating too much doubles, chicken and chips and pizza. A faulty diet has created problems. Modern-day players are too brittle. They are quick to come off the field after a little lash with the ball ... and it could be traced to poor eating habits. Many are unable to last a tour. Courtney Walsh was the ideal fast bowler. I cannot recall Walsh breaking down when he was at the peak of his career.

When a man gets selected, we now wonder how long he will last.

Players need to show more determination. More guts.

I also detect some clubs are investing too much money to bring outsiders here. We must make room for our own development. Charity begins at home.

We also have to expose the youngsters at club level. My old club, Paragon, suffered because of that. They kept players around for too long. Of course, you don't have to bring in all the youths at the same time. But there should be that nice blend of youth and experience.

Anyway, I am glad to see Brian Lara back in top form. He is an inspiration to the young ones. But I personally believe we are not going to beat anybody if we don't have the penetration. We don't have the quality bowlers at the moment.

I am not seeing that killer instinct in their run up. The bowlers got to make things happen, especially in Sir Lanka where the wickets are placid. We have to bowl consistently.

Right now it appears as if we have to make plenty runs to get a draw. If we don't make enough, we lose. But I am heartened by some of the talent I have at Queen's Park. Duane Bravo will reach far. I like the Jan brothers, Ricardo Patty, Damian Lewis and Jonathan Lewis are all players with a future.