HORSHAM Festival 2011
Wayne’s world
Q What’s the best thing about playing for Sussex?
Q Who is the biggest joker in the squad?
A I think firstly the professionalism and that competitive edge. Obviously all teams have it but since I’ve been here I’ve seen real professionalism and that’s been the biggest aspect for me.
A Andrew Hodd. No doubt about that one! Q Who is the best trainer?
Q Which cricketer do you play like the most? A I like to think that I’m different, but if I wanted to be someone I think I’d probably want to be skilful like Zaheer Khan. I don’t like to base myself on other people, I want to be the first Wayne Parnell rather than anyone else!
Q Who was your cricketing hero as a youngster? A When I was growing up it was actually Gary Kirsten and Matthew Hayden. I think those two guys would be the ones as when I was younger, I was actually more of a batter. When I got into my teen years it was more left-armers like Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. Q Apart from The PROBIZ County Ground, Hove, which is your favourite ground to play at and why?
Sussex’s new overseas player Wayne Parnell gives us his answers. Adam Matthews asks the questions.
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A I think Newlands in Cape Town, that would definitely be right up there. It’s one of the most beautiful grounds in the world. Personally I also like Pretoria, I’ve done really well there internationally and hopefully when I go back there I can continue that. Q Who has the worst dress sense? A Definitely Chris Liddle, with all the cardigans that he wears! I think maybe sometimes he thinks he’s on the golf course rather than at a cricket ground!
Q Who has the worst taste in music? A Amjad Khan tries to rival me to try and be a DJ so he’d have to be up there, he’s not as good as me though!
A Probably Amjad, he’s done well as he’s now got a six pack and he didn’t have one before he came here!
Q What are your other interests outside cricket?
A I like DJ’ing and listening to music. I have an application on my iPad so when I’m chilling at home I like doing a bit of mixing. Q What’s the best advice you could give to an aspiring cricketer? A I think obviously hard work takes you places but also not trying too hard. I think what happens often is because young people are so eager to do well they actually try too hard and the screws come loose. The main thing is to know what you’re about and stay within those boundaries. Q What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career? A Obviously when I first started I did really well but then I got injured and coming back from my injury I wanted to prove to everyone that I was back to where I was but by doing that I tried harder than I actually should have! I didn’t perform that well when I was coming back but now I’ve learned to tone it down, go back to basics and not think too hard. Q Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
A Back home growing up it was Christo Esau, who was my junior coach up until under-19 level, then coming into the national team it was Vincent Barnes, the South African bowling coach who helped me a lot, not just on the field but also off the field, being both a friend and a coach. So those two would be the two people who have influenced my career the most.