Ian Bishop: Ex-Windies fast bowler breaks the stereotype

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali

HE IS almost the perfect example of what cricket stands for — gentlemanly and humble. In spite of being a former tearaway quickie — fast bowlers are supposed to be aggressive — West Indian Ian Bishop is down to earth. Even when he was sending down the thunderbolts in his playing days, you could have hardly faulted him for his behaviour.

The gangling 42- year- old bowler from Trinidad & Tobago is now enlightening television viewers in his thoughtful and quiet way as a commentator in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). He describes the action with insightful thoughts, choosing the right words, and speaking clearly, just enough to provide viewers value addition to the live pictures.

Bishop was a gentleman as a fast bowler too. Although his job was to get the opposition out as quickly as possible with sheer pace, he was sensitive inside.

Recurring back problems, however, cut his career short, allowing him to play only in 43 Tests and 84 One- day Internationals between 1988 and 1998, with long injury- induced gaps in between.

Maybe the many injuries left him disenchanted. “ After my retirement I wanted to get far away from cricket,” Bishop told MAIL TODAY , wearing his trademark enticing smile. It was a surprising disclosure as the once a cricketer, always a cricketer dictum is taken for granted.

“I wanted to go into teaching. Teaching has always fascinated me,” he said, revealing a little-known facet of his personality.

Asked about the subject he wanted to teach, he said: “It could have been any subject. I just wanted to teach.” Did he want to teach because he was good at academics at school or did he have a family history? “No. I was an average student and spent a lot of time playing cricket; it was my passion. No one in my family was into teaching. My father was into the construction business,” he said.

Then, something happened and Bishop decided to venture into television commentary. But even here his way of going about it was distinct. He enrolled himself in a one- year mass communications course in England about four years ago. “ It was a full time course. I remained away from the game and worked only during the breaks,” he said. “ The course has helped me, but maybe it is not as helpful in commentary as its in print journalism.” Bishops good manners are a clear testimony to the way he was brought up. Compliment him and he almost blushes, closing his eyes, and whispering a thank you. He is shy too. You wont find him loitering outside the commentators box during breaks between his stints with the microphone. He would rather watch the action from the confines of the box with a cup of coffee in hand. “I’m not a peoples man,” is all he says when you point out this trait of his.

Bishop also likes to know about different cultures. He has been to India several times, both as player and commentator, and found Jaipur very attractive on his maiden visit there in 2006 during the Champions Trophy. “They use a lot of pink stones in buildings and wear lots of colourful attire,” he said.
(This story first appeared in Mail Today, New Delhi, on April 3, 2010)