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The great stonewaller
Wisden CricInfo staff - July 9, 2002

Gordon Greenidge interview (3 mins)

Desmond Haynes interview (2 mins)

With the Indian Cricketer of the Century Awards coming up on July 23, Wisden Online have asked some former greats their opinions and memories about Indian cricketers who are in contention, along with a few others who aren't. Here, West Indies' greatest opening pair, Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge, share their thoughts on past Indian cricketers who they faced, both good and bad.

Of the spinners he faced, Haynes rated Bishan Bedi in particular, but also mentioned Venkat and Ravi Shastri. He was less complimentary about Narendra Hirwani, who took 16 wickets on his Test debut against the Windies at Madras in 1987-88. He also gave Kapil Dev a bit of good-humoured stick - Haynes claimed Kapil was little more than medium pace, although he did admit he was a "very useful bowler".

Gordon Greenidge was full of praise for Sunil Gavaskar, hailing him as the "stonewaller of Indian cricket". He then talked about the aura surrounding Kapil whenever he walked onto the pitch. Of the spinners, Greenidge said Chandra was the pick of the bunch. And even though it was an approach that occasionally brought their downfall, Greenidge insisted that if you weren't prepared to attack the spinners, you would always fail.

Wisden Online will be running more recollections each day this week. Tomorrow it's the turn of a couple of West Indian pacemen: Wayne Daniel and Charlie Griffith.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd