Sean Williams: I followed how Sourav Ganguly used to play spin

Sean Williams has been Zimbabwe’s mainstay in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Batting in the middle order, the southpaw has scored 289 runs in five games so far at an average of 72.25. Williams has scored three fifties in the tournament, one of which was a brilliant 96 that almost took Zimbabwe to victory against Ireland. Speaking to Nishad Pai Vaidya, Williams talks about his strategies, the game against India, watching Sourav Ganguly bat and his hockey background.

CricketCountry (CC): You have been a mainstay in the middle and a sort o a finisher. Can you describe the challenge for you?

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Sean Williams (SW): We’ve lost too many wickets upfront. So, I’ve had to come and slow down, knock the ball around. Obviously, there is an element of risk is involved because when I do come in sometimes, there are few people in the circle, the fielding is attacking fielding, with maybe a slip in place. You try and bat time, play each ball on its merit; not think about what’s actually happening. If I am there at the end, then that’s when the team benefits from it. READ: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: India vs Zimbabwe, Statistical Preview

CC: How do you adjust to the new rules as a batsman, with the five men in the ring? Is it too tempting to attack?

SW: That’s a good question. Obviously, with the extra fielder in the ring, a lot of people think it is time to go in the air. It is risky and it can go both ways. We just try and play smart cricket. We call it ‘Smart Play.’ We try and hit the ball along the ground and play strong cricketing shots. READ: Sikandar Raza wants to end ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with good performance against India

CC: This is your third World Cup as you featured in 2007 and 2011 as well. How do you look back at this journey?

SW: Every single tournament I have enjoyed playing in. I didn’t do as well as I would have liked in the 2011 World Cup. I injured myself and ended up going home, missing out on three games. The 2015 World Cup has been a pleasure to be a part of and I want to take as many opportunities as I given and take it with both hands. And, I think Zimbabwe cricket is moving ahead under Dav. In very little time, we have shown progress. Give us a little more time under time, or give him chance, hopefully we will have some success. READ: Dav Whatmore: Zimbabwe need to play more ODIs in order to improve

CC: How do you approach playing spin batting in the middle order?

SW: I have always watched Sourav Ganguly and how he used to play spin. I try and use my feet a lot of the time and try to make them change their pace for me, and manipulate the field, so I can hit the ball where I want and get them to bowl where I want them to. It is difficult, sometimes it may work, sometimes it may not. We just do the simple things right. Sometimes sweeping is not the most ideal. But hitting down the ground on these wickets (in Australia and New Zealand), where there is not much turn, you cannot go wrong. READ: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Zimbabwe aim winning farewell to Brendan Taylor

CC: You had one good knock against India in the 2013 series, when you played the sweep shot a lot. How would you describe the shot and its effectiveness?

SW: It backfired against me in that game. [Amit] Mishra is a very good spinner. He had his googly, he had the slider and the normal wrong-un. I felt that with [Ravindra] Jadeja also bowling into me, if I could get as far as possible outside off-stump, it is going to hit me outside the line. It wasn’t going to affect me in any way. The only way I could have got out is a top-edge caught at 45 or on the boundary. But, I was looking to hit down on the ground every time. It takes a lot of practice to get used to that shot. It is a go-to shot. Many people use it as a go-to shot. I started playing that shot as I tried to prepare for Asian pitches. It has stuck with me since. And, also having played hockey, it helps. READ: Brendan Taylor could play his last match for Zimbabwe against India in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 following Nottinghamshire deal

CC: Speaking of hockey, we understand you have a background in that sport. So, how did cricket come about?

SW: My mum was a gold medallist with the hockey team. She was a part of the Zimbabwe team that won the gold (in Moscow 1980). My father was also the captain of the Zimbabwe men’s team for many many years. I started playing hockey at a young age. My dad was actually playing cricket all the time as well playing hockey. I used to play with Charles Coventry as we grew up at the same club. We started playing club cricket, next thing I knew was I was called up by the franchise and then the national team. I played at the Bulawayo Athletics Club. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE

CC: You will be up against some big names when you play India. What are your thoughts on the impending clash?

SW: I look at it as a huge opportunity for me to take with both hands and hopefully I can do well. Hopefully, the moment doesn’t get to me as it is a big occasion playing against Indian team, hopefully a massive crowd could come in. The key is to stay as calm as possible.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)