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FIERY: Jack in his heyday

"I never played again," the former South Africa and Transvaal fast bowler said of a bad fall that ended his first-class career in 1996.

Jack was 25 at the time, too young to be philosophical about a shoulder injury that called time on a brief but promise-laden career.

"I was bitter for a while and I think with reason. I had played in just two Tests and I thought I had so much more to give. The doctor said I'd never play again but for two years I tried to prove him wrong," said Jack.

However, as a reality check for fast bowlers, few interventions are more sobering than rotator cuff reconstruction.

He played his last provincial game in 1996 and continued to play for his beloved club side, Pirates, as a batsman until 2002.

But Jack is happy with what he packed into a truncated career. "I'm proud of my first-class record. I took 223 wickets at an average of 21. That's quite competitive among the good guys."

He was one half of a potentially devastating new-ball partnership with Richard Snell. Problem is, the physio's couch was usually occupied by one, while the other was left to carry the Transvaal attack.

They brought contrasting skills to the game - like a McEnroe/Fleming, Prost/Senna, Botha/Matfield or, dare one suggest, Astaire/Rogers.

"We had the makings of a good opening pair. He brought the ball in and I took it away, he bowled a lot fuller, I bowled shorter.

"Also, in terms of personality we were very different. When we got it right, we were quite handy. Half the time, however, one of us would be out and Richard would often start a game and not finish it.

"He'd stand on the rope or on the ball, especially when it (the wicket) was flat," joked Jack.

Being prised from the game so young has brought introspection that generally escapes players until they reach their early to mid 30s.

Jack, the wiry, fiery, carrot top fast bowler has grown up and is a more rounded person.

"I followed my dad into the insurance industry in 1994. In 2000 I quit my job and went into business with him.

"He got really sick and I had to take over the running of AW Jack and Associates.

"We do short-term insurance and we provide owner/manager assistance.

"I'm married to Angela and we have two boys, Connor and Chris. Yes, I have a son called Chris Jack and it is something Ken Rutherford (former New Zealand and Transvaal captain) takes great pleasure in."

Jack did not completely abandon the sport when he stopped playing. He had a stint as a Gauteng selector but left a little disillusioned.

"It was around 2005/06 when there was a lot of political interference in sport. It was very difficult because you had to be aware of the racial balance of the side, which sometimes required, for instance, leaving out your wicketkeeper to accommodate a bowler.

"Things came to a head when the team we decided on was different from the one that appeared in the paper the next day."

The general malaise affecting cricket in Gauteng disappoints him.

Jack has his sights set on becoming club captain at the Wanderers Golf Club and insists he is a passionate Springbok rugby supporter.

Bafana? He religiously tunes in to their matches, more in hope than expectation.