Graham Gooch

Calcutta: Almost 18 years ago, Graham Gooch became the first to take a triple hundred (333 at Lord’s) off India in Test cricket.

On Saturday afternoon, the former England captain and one of the giants of the modern era (well over 100 first-class hundreds, 20 of them in Tests) spoke to The Telegraph from his residence in Chelmsford. The interview was largely Virender Sehwag-related.

The following are excerpts

On Sehwag’s 319 at the Chepauk

To get one triple hundred in Tests is fantastic, but Sehwag has now got two… And within four years… He’s definitely one of the most exciting batsmen and has answered his critics well.

Whether he’d been surprised at Sehwag’s omission when Team India toured England last summer

I don’t recall the form he was in immediately before that tour, nor do I follow the politics of Indian selections… But, yes, I was surprised that somebody as talented as Sehwag wasn’t in the squad… Besides being a quality batsman, he’s a good off-spinner and adds value… Obviously, he’s proved the selectors wrong and if I were an Indian selector, I’d be very happy at the turn of events. For a batsman, the best way to respond is with big scores… Sehwag has done exactly that.

The effort it takes to get a triple in Test cricket

(Laughs) It’s a test of your skill, your temperament… Your powers of concentration are put to the sternest test… The conditions in Chennai have been taxing and, so, Sehwag would’ve had to draw on all his reserves… It’s remarkable that the fastest triple of all time came in such demanding conditions.

His 333 at Lord’s

Don’t think too much of that innings, unless when I’m reminded of it… There had, of course, been a lot of talk about the 333 when India toured England… On a personal note, it’s nice that I’m the sole triple hundred-achiever at Lord’s…

The approach he adopted

I didn’t keep looking at the scoreboard and, really, hadn’t set out for a landmark innings… I took it session by session… I’d got a big hundred for Essex versus Lancashire shortly before the Test and had also got a hundred against New Zealand at Edgbaston… So, I’d been in form and the thing about form is that you’ve got to cash in when the going is good… I was lucky to have been dropped in the 30s (by Kiran More off Sanjeev Sharma), but there are times when things don’t go your way. (After a pause) That Lord’s Test saw very fine performances from some of the others as well and I myself got another hundred (123, in the second innings)... I had a pair on debut (versus Australia, 1975), making no contribution, and I’ve got the record for the maximum runs in a single Test — 456… Well, I’ve experienced it all, haven’t I?

Whether he’d become conscious about nearing the then record, Sir Gary Sobers’ 365 not out

Not really… I wasn’t batting for milestones… When I got out, trying to up the scoring rate, (cricket manager) Mickey Stewart scolded me in the dressing room… He felt that I should’ve gone for 366.

The one most capable of getting past Brian Lara’s record (400 not out)

Look, the record will be broken… No disrespect to anybody, but there are some weaker sides today… Also, the wickets are probably more flat nowadays… Of course, the scoring is definitely quicker… I suppose an opener has the best chance, given that he can spend the maximum time at the crease.

Whether that opener could be Sehwag

Possibly… He scores at a terrific pace… I wouldn’t put it beyond him…

On the impact a triple hundred has on the opposition

(Laughs) Fortunately, I didn’t have to suffer on the field… Nobody got a triple in a Test I was playing in… There’s little that can be done if somebody is in such great form… One way out could be to bowl on one side of the wicket… The South Africans lack a quality spinner and, so, there’s little variety in their attack… This lack of variety, I suppose, makes it tougher for Graeme Smith.

Finally, his message for Sehwag

Congratulations and keep on entertaining… You do a fine job… (After a pause) I’m sure Sehwag will be a big hit in the upcoming Indian Premier League… I’m all for going forward and Twenty20 is a vehicle for doing that… But, having said that, I wouldn’t like Twenty20 to interfere with the integrity of Test cricket… We’ve got to be careful.