He has said it with raw pace. Bristling in with energy and slinging in at furious speed, Fidel Edwards has set the IPL alight. The attitude of the West Indian has been refreshing. Here is a bowler who is hunting for wickets in format where other bowlers are happy to get away with seven runs per over. Fidel is not far behind the big hitters in the popularity charts. In a freewheeling chat with this newspaper Fidel spoke on his IPL experience, his new found love for batting long hours and evenings in South Africa.

Q: You have proved pace has a place in T20. Was it a something you wanted to prove when you came here?

A: Too be an out and out fast bowler is difficult. In T20 the advantage is that we know the maximum we can bowl is four overs and can afford to go flat out. What I am trying to do here is similar to what a batsman is trying to do in the first six overs. If I can get a couple of early wickets and set it up for the rest then I consider my job done.
           

Q: The yorker has been your potent weapon bit it also has also proven1 costly, how do you see it?

A: Without doubt the yorker has been my trump card. It is a big weapon as long it is the shock ball and there is an element of surprise to it. Overusing it can be a problem in limited overs cricket as the batsman can make adjustments to counter it. The margin of error is minimal and one needs to put in countless hours of practice to get it right.

           
Q: You have said previously that to be the fastest bowler in the world is your dream. Have things changed now with experience?

A: To be honest it does occur from time to time and the arm tries to go faster. But I have realised that bowling fast is the only thing. At the end of the day what matters is the number of wickets you have against your name. I enjoy bowling fast and along the way if I am also the fastest I will take it.

           
Q: The IPL in South Africa has shifted the balance towards the bowlers. How did you see it?

A: There is more for a fast bowler here. The ball swings a lot more and the carry off the wicket is even. These are better conditions than some of the other places in the world for a fast bowler. The responsibility is also higher as we are expected to be amongst wickets in every game.

           
Q: You have formed a good combination with R.P. Singh. How much of planning has gone in to it?

A: At this level we should know what we are doing. The partnership has worked well. As a left-right combination there is so much more for the batsman to think about. They angle we create is different. The batmen cannot get used quickly. The air speed varies too. I am sure we can keep the good work going.

           
Q: Your experience with the Chargers so far?

A: I will have to say that I have never had it better. Darren Lehman made my role clear straightaway and that made things easier. Bowling to V.V.S. Laxman and Adam Gilchrist in the nets has added to my bowling. Having Dwayne Smith in the team has also helped. Though we tend to do our own things in the evening the bunch is very friendly. It has been an amazing journey with the Chargers till now. And to top it the results have been great too.