Here is an interview with senior journalist and commentator from the West Indies Vinode Mamchan. The Guardian newspaper correspondent and commentator has travelled the world covering the fortunes of West Indies cricket.
Q. What were your biggest motivations to become a sports presenter and get into cricket?
A. Growing up in the Caribbean and looking at the great West Indies teams of the past.
Q. Have you been born and brought up in the Caribbean?
A. Yes in San Fernando, South Trinidad.
Q. Could you put your finger down to any moment or experiences that convinced you to become such a fine commentator that you are?
A. As a young boy growing up I admired the work of Englishman Henry Blofield. Then I was given an opportunity to commentate in one match by Andrew Mason the senior West Indian commentator and the rest is history.
Q. Were you inspired by anyone in particular and if yes, who and why?
A. Sir Vivian Richards a friend of mines and someone who drew me to cricket by just looking at his bravado.
Q. How’s life been behind the mic? Do you plan to write a biography of Windies cricket or something related to the West Indies?
A. Life has been good. The support I get from my wife Nadine and my two boys Liam and Aidan is responsible for my success today. The blessings of my mother Phulo is always there as well. My wife has taken care of everything in my absence making her nothing short of a superwoman.
Q. What do you think of the Women’s team and how is the Caribbean embracing new developments toward the Women’s game?
A. The West Indies women are the ones flying our flag high at the moment. Cricket West Indies must be congratulated for the work they have done in professionalising the women cricket set up in the Caribbean.
Q. What do you make of the current team and where do you see this team going in the immediate future?
A. West Indies cricket is under reconstruction at the moment. We must have patience in the process. First we must understand that it will take hard work to be competitive and then we can look towards beating the top teams on a regular basis.
Q. Where do you see Windies chances in the 2019 World Cup?
A. I think the Windies have what it takes to go all the way once all the senior players are available. The talent at our disposal is great and once the senior men come back and play as a unit they can surprise many.
Q. Why do you think the fans have emptied the stadia back in the Caribbean during Tests and have lined up for CPL and T20s?
A. Not only in the Caribbean but we are seeing this all over the world. People are just not looking at Test cricket in numbers. Unless it’s an Ashes battle and maybe India battling Pakistan then people might come out. Today’s world is all about fast movements and people just don’t have the time anymore.
Q. Any favorite moments of yours whilst commentating?
A. Funnily enough it happened during a domestic match in Trinidad. I was on with a fellow commentator who said that the field had poodles of water because of the heavy rains. I then replied that I totally agree because it has been raining cats and dogs.
Q. What’s the toughest part of the job behind the mic?
A. I think the toughest part of being behind the Mic is when something occurs out of the realm on the field and you can’t say for sure because you don’t have official word on the incident.
Q. How often do you write and what is it about cricket you like to or might like to write on?
A. Cricket is on the daily menu for me, as I write daily for the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.
Q. Do you have any word to the youngsters coming through the ranks to get into Cricket commentary?
A. Firstly you must know the game. I am not saying that you have to be a coach but there must be some knowledge on the technical aspect of the game. Obviously you must know the rules and for youngsters coming up you must have an appreciation for the history of the game.
Q. How do you think the commentary craft has changed from when you’d entered?
A. Now it is much easier in terms of getting stats on players and teams because it is is at your fingertips. Before you had to do extensive research but at the clock of a button it is right there.
Q. Pick your Windies dream XI?
Gordon Greenidge
Desmond Haynes
Brian Lara
Vivian Richards (capt)
Everton Weekes
Gary Sobers
Clyde Walcott
Malcolm Marshall
Curtly Ambrose
Michael Holding
Lance Gibbs