I am now focused on the future: Justin Kemp

Justin Kemp's rampaging strokeplay has elicited comparisons with Lance Klusener. While no doubt flattered by it Kemp is now more concerned with fitting into whatever role his team wants him to. Question: Would you agree your current form is one of the best in your career so far?

Answer: Yes I am, it's because I'm older and wiser and I am learning slowly how to play this game.

Q: Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, termed you as their nemesis after your match-winning performances in the recently concluded ODI series. That must surely be a confidence-booster?

A: Definitely, it's a confidence-booster for a person like him to refer to me as their nemesis. But I know I have to maintain the consistency and keep on improving.

Q: People are beginning to think you are the next Lance Klusener. Did you ever think of filling in his boots?

A: I don't look at myself as a Lance Klusener, but to be mentioned in the same breath is an honour. But I do believe that I have a long way to go before I can measure up to him.

Q: With your powerful strokeplay, when you walk in to bat, do you think any target could be possibly achieved?

A: I believe when I get in I can achieve a stiff target that has been set. The secret is to give yourself time and set yourself.

Q: Statistics indicate that you have a better batting rate when chasing a target rather than while batting first. Does that suggest something?

A: I don't think it suggests anything but it will even out as my career continues.

Q: Also you seem to have a handsome average batting in the lower middle-order - at numbers six and seven where you average 47 and 53 respectively. Do you think there is a certain sense of responsibility that revs you up?

A: I think this time around in the South African team, my role has been well-defined and because of this I'm enjoying the responsibility and thriving in an awesome setup.

Q: How important was it for you to fire against England, especially after the sense of disappointment back home over losing the Test series?

A: It was crucial for me to fire against them, because if I had failed I couldn't have been given another chance.

Q: How about assuming captaincy of the Nashua Titans franchise. Has that important responsibility played a part in your development?

A: Definitely, yes. Responsibility of leading a talented batch of players like the Titans unit has given me a large amount of confidence, knowing that I have their backing.

Q: Considering that you have become a pivot, expectations would be higher from now onwards. Does it change your mode of thinking when you play the matches here onwards?

A: No, I shall continue to play my normal game of attacking cricket. But the most important thing is to play responsible shots.

Q: Your new challenge begins with the ODI series in India, a place where you played for your country's Under-19 team back in 1995-96 along with the likes of Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Boeta Dippennaar. What are your memories of that tour and did you find it difficult to adjust and acclimatise in any way?

A: I found it difficult because as a young cricketer I did not know what to expect.

Q: This time around what kind of adjustments do you think you should make to prosper on the flat and slow Indian wickets?

A: I shall be drawing on all the knowledge of the senior players and to be more patient with my game.

Q: Then you have the big one - against Australia. You must be looking forward to that challenge?

A: Australia is a massive challenge and I look forward to challenging myself against the best team in the world.

Q: Moving on to the Tests, would that be one of the bigger challenges - to retain a spot in the squad after a bad show during the debut home series against Sri Lanka back in 2000-01?

A: I am not looking back because I am now focused on the future.

Q: With allrounders like yourself and Albie Morkel adding freshness, do you think this team can hope to match the feats of the great sides of the 1990s?

A: I think with the team spirit and the leaders that the side have, anything is possible.

--Cricinfo