30 Seconds with former Australian off-spinner Tim May

19 September 2010 - 03:42 By Liam Del Carme
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Tim May is the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (Fica).

Have you always had trade union leanings?

No, not really. I am more right-wing than left but there were so many things wrong in cricket in terms of employer/employee contract relationships that the issues could not be ignored any longer. So I got involved in establishing the Australian Cricketers' Association.

Why is Fica based in Austin, Texas?

I held the position of Fica CEO when I lived in Australia. In 2005 my family moved to Austin, because my wife (who is from the US) wanted us to experience American life. We sort of had a handshake agreement when we married that she would live in my country for 10 years and then I would do the same. She remembered.

How do you think you'd go in the 20-over format?

I don't think I would get a game, mainly because of my lack of fielding skills.



If you were bowling to Shahid Afridi in a power-play, how would you set your field?

Tough one, but I would bowl very full at the stumps and have blokes on the boundary straight and a man square for the sweep.

Your Wikipedia profile suggests that many of your injuries were the product of clumsiness. Is that fair comment?

Probably not. Most of my injuries revolved around my knee, which required numerous operations over the years. I can't recall that any of those were related to clumsiness. Although I did break my arm five times when I was a kid, and that certainly was clumsiness. Tripping over the net in tennis after winning the Grade Four tennis championship was probably my most embarrassing.

What was your favourite end, and why?

Scoreboard end at the Adelaide Oval. In the afternoon sessions there was a beautiful breeze that would come through the gap in the stands that was just perfect for an off-spinner.

Did you ever room with Merv Hughes and, if so, how did you survive?

I was Merv's roommate for one of the Ashes tours. It was punishing. He really is a pig in a man's body. The secret to dealing with him was to make sure that you stay out later than him, so when you got back to your room, the big fella was asleep.

Explain Fica's relationship with the ICC?

We have a very positive relationship . We principally deal with David Richardson, who is a honest, principled bloke. It becomes more difficult and frustrating when issues are discussed among the ICC executive committees. That's where decision-making gets politicised.

Could some of the strife Pakistan find themselves in have been avoided had they had a players' representative body?

I certainly believe so. Players' associations typically build a sense of togetherness and a culture of not seeking individual reward at the expense of your fellow members.

If you were handed wide-ranging powers to deal with match/spot fixing, what would be your focus?

Creating proper cultures of honesty and accountability in the administration in all countries.

Will the proposed future tours programme, a Test league and play-offs, help make up ground lost to the short versions of the game?

I think it will assist but only marginally. The issue with the league that the ICC have proposed is that not all series will count towards the championship, which will only confuse cricket followers. The period of four years is just too long to generate sufficient interest in years one, two and three.

Julia Gillard or Jodie Foster?

Merv Hughes. -

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