Bichel feeds on past frustrations to seize Australia opportunity

Cricket World Cup: Fast bowler finally sheds 12th-man tag with match-winning perfomances to erase painful memories of 1999

Andy Bichel, the fast bowler, is the epitome of an Australian sportsman. He is proud, passionate and dedicated to his job. Nothing gives the Queenslander more pleasure and pride than wearing the green and gold of his country or putting on the baggy green cap.

Bichel, with 15 wickets at an average of eight, has been excellent for Australia during this World Cup. The 32-year-old is no stranger to England, where he has spent the last two summers playing for Worcestershire, but will be remembered more as the man who knocked Nasser Hussain's side out of the World Cup than for his achievements at New Road? In what turned out to be their last match of the tournament, Bichel not only destroyed England's fragile batting line-up with figures of 7 for 20 but broke English hearts with 34 not out as he and Michael Bevan put on 73 for the ninth wicket to clinch the game.

But even the patriotism of this loyal servant has occasionally been tested by his inability to hold down a regular place in the all-conquering Australian side. Since his international debut in January 1997 he has been their perennial 12th man. He has spent series after series sat beyond the boundary rope, tending to the needs of his mates whilst watching them make short work of their opponents. Steve Waugh, who over the weekend made himself available for Australia's forthcoming tour to the West Indies, told me that telling Bichel he wasn't playing was one of his hardest jobs because he is such a good team man and cares so much about playing.

At times Bichel must have felt like Pete Best. But unlike the fifth Beatle this wholehearted cricketer does get the odd gig even if it is only when one of the Aussie fab four – Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie – pick up an injury.

"It has been frustrating because I want to play as much as I can," Bichel said on his return to Port Elizabeth for tomorrow's semi-final match against Sri Lanka. "There are times when I sit back and think I could be playing for another country and the most disappointing time for me was in the 1999 World Cup in England. I did not make the World Cup team [that won the trophy] and it was frustrating to sit back and watch that when I could have been a part of any of the other sides that played in the tournament.

"It is the same in Test cricket too. I'd love to be sitting here saying I have played 50 Test matches rather than the 11 I have. But it's not that desperate. I would not swap it for being an Aussie and to have played in this team through this era of cricket. It has been a wonderful experience to have played at a time when Queensland and Australia are so successful."

Even though his appearances have been as regular as Emile Heskey goals, Bichel has made the most of the opportunities that have come his way and he owes this extended run in the side to an Achilles strain which ended the World Cup campaign of Gillespie, his fast bowling team-mate.

England are not the only side to leave South Africa earlier than they wanted because of the efforts of Bichel, who may not go down as one of the most talented players around but will as one of the most committed. He makes the most of every ounce of ability he has as New Zealand also found out last week in the Super Sixes. The Black Caps had Australia in trouble, at 84 for 7, when Bichel arrived at the crease. But showing his love for a scrap he (64) and Bevan (56) once again transformed a dire situation into a match-winning one.

Bichel's character and desire to succeed are typically Australian and are summed up by his attitude towards critical situations like these. Unlike many English players, who spend their careers avoiding such challenges, his instinct is to relish such occasions.

"A player like me does not get opportunities like this very often," Bichel said. "We are rarely 130 for 8 or 83 for 7 in this team. However, there is part of me that wants these opportunities to arise so I can hopefully make the most of it and I think I did on both occasions. Having played county cricket helps because there you have to sum up a pitch and work out how to play on it. I remember Alec Stewart [in the match against England] saying to me that this was just like playing at Worcester."

In an era when most sportsmen are spoilt rotten and are given almost everything they need before having achieved anything, Bichel's success is a positive reminder to those who believe that if you have had to work hard for something then you are less likely to give it away easily.

"When I play I just try to make the most of the opportunity," he said. "Struggling to break into a side is something I have had to deal with throughout my career. Queensland's strength has always been their fast bowling and I have had to compete with McDermott, Rackemann, Rowell, Tazelaar and Kasprowicz. And then with Australia I have had the same sort of problems so I tend to play every game that I get as though it could be my last."

Unlike four years ago, Bichel is now an integral part of this Australian team and looks set to be a major part of their success for the first time. He is a captain's dream. How much would Hussain and Shaun Pollock, the sacked South African captain, have given for a player like Bichel in their side?

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP

TOMORROW
Australia v Sri Lanka (in Port Elizabeth)

THURSDAY
India v Kenya (in Durban) (day/night)