I'd like to see South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in semis: Jimmy Adams

How has your trip to Andhra been so far?
The visit has been very good. The facilities have been good. There's quite a lot of work done with the young players we have got here. We got the impression that Andhra Cricket Association and MSK Prasad (former India wicket-keeper and currently Director, Cricketing Operations, ACA) are a very forward thinking cricket association. They are for the development of the players. I am quite hopeful of the association between ACA and Kent.

You have been in India since World Cup started. Have you been able to catch up with it?
I've watched a little bit of it in hotel on TV. I've not really had time to watch a lot of it, to be honest. It has been training and work.

How do you see India's chances as defending champions?
India is probably one of the teams that will be looking to win it. They could probably win it if they play well, if they get to the semifinals and play well thereafter. They are a pretty strong side and it depends on how they play on that given day. They should qualify for the quarterfinal, and win from there on. Once you get through to the knock-out stage, it depends on how well they play on that day. They have some talented players. And am sure all of India will be hoping that they go on and win it for the second time in a row.

England have one player from your county, James Tredwell? How crucial considering that spin may not be that effective this World Cup?
I know he did not play in the first game against Australia. So, first thing for Tredwell will be to try to concentrate and get back in to the team. Am not sure how the wickets will play in New Zealand and Australia. Some might be helpful for the spinners, others might not. It is very difficult to sit here in India and suppose what happens in Australia or New Zealand.

Who would your four semifinalists be?
That is a tough one. I think New Zealand, Australia, South Africa will be three of the four. The fourth team will be a shootout between the other teams in the competition. I'd like to see South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the semifinals, especially New Zealand who play all their games at home.

What was the secret behind your success in Tests in India. You amassed 520 runs in three Tests in 1994 at 173.33?
I don't think there was any one thing. It was the situation at that time. I tried to stick at the wicket as much as possible, did my best to get a start and if I got one, tried to bat as long as possible.

You were known as 'Padams' for your technique that series?
It is something that worked at that time for me.

How much has batting evolved since you retired in early 2001?
There are a few more shots being played in world cricket now. These are exciting times. T20 has brought out more batting options that players are quite comfortable to use. Certainly batting is evolving. Especially T20 and one-day cricket. Batting is exciting to watch.

With the bad habits creeping in from T20 to longer format, how do you keep a check on your wards?
Young players hopefully can adapt to different forms. My generation had to adapt between two formats (Test and ODIs). This generation now have to adapt between three (Tests, ODIs and T20s). Am sure they will become very sufficient. You have many players who would play across all three formats, similar to the way my generation would play across two formats. I don't think it means much.

You played in 1996 and 1999 World Cups. What memories do you have of them?
It's one of the highlights of my career. I played in two World Cups. It is the biggest event in world cricket with all the nations coming together in one particular format. They did not have World T20 in my time. Fifty-overs was the only format that brought all the countries together. All the players around the world look forward to taking part in the World Cup and am sure the players today are enjoying being part of the biggest event. It is something that come once in four years and am sure even today everyone is looking forward to it.

Does the loss to Kenya in 1996 World Cup still hurt?
No, No. There is nothing that happened in 1996 that hurts me.

How can West Indies return to its glorious past?
Your concern is as big as mine. I have been outside of West Indies cricket for three years. I am like a supporter now. How to do it, I don't think that is something I have an answer for. I just prefer not to talk about the current West Indies cricket right now.

Given the choice, would you be interested in coaching West Indies team and try to bring it back to the top?
I am currently enjoying my role with Kent. I don't know what the future holds after my stint with Kent is finished and when my stint with Kent is finished.. For the next two years, I am committed to Kent and Kent cricket. When we get there, I will see what is on the anvil.

How are you enjoying your coaching?
I am enjoying it a lot. I did a bit of work in Jamaica for two years and the last three seasons, I have been with Kent. It has been wonderful experience, positive. I am enjoying it.

How can this trip benefit your youngsters? How regularly do you have this exposure trip for youngsters?
This will benefit them a lot. They have never been in conditions they are finding here in Visakhapatnam. The surfaces they are playing on are different from what they find in England. The conditions are different. It's a very good experience for them at this young age, giving them a lot more opportunity to think about (the game) and also opening the eyes to different cultures and how they impact the way they play cricket. I have taken them to the Caribbean before. It is not the first time that they have not left the UK. We have been to other places in India but this is the first time to Andhra.

'Padams'
Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams may have come across as a boring batsman. But he was effective with his batting style. He formed the backbone of the West Indies in a line-up that had Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, among others. He is known more in India as 'Padams' for using his front foot as the first line of defence during the 1994 Tests in India in which he amassed 520 runs in three Tests at an average of 173.33. His scores in that series were 39, 81, 125*, 23, 174*, 78*. 
Currently, Adams is in Visakhapatnam for a 10-day visit on an exchange programme after Andhra Cricket Association and Kent signed a MoU that would help their junior cricketers gain international exposure. Adams has brought with him four young Kent cricketers – all-rounder Fabian Cowdrey, Zak Crawley, Marcus O’Riordan and Ben Stock.

ADAMS IN FIGURES:
Tests (April 1992-January 2001):
54 matches, 90 innings, 17 not out, 3,012 runs, 208* highest, 6x100, 14x50s, 48 catches; 27 wickets, 5/17 best, 1x5 WI
ODIs (December 1992-February 2001):
127 matches, 105 innings, 28 not out, 2,204 runs, 82 highest, 14x50s, 68 catches; 43 wickets, 5/37 best, 1x5 WI
Captaincy:
15 Tests, 4 wins, 8 losses; 26 ODIs, 10 wins, 14 losses