BoE governor goes for a straight drive

Had there been an award for a bowler taking five wickets in an innings "" the second one after a gap of 38 years "" Bank of England Governor Mervyn King would have got it.

A slow left-arm spinner and a patron of Worcestershire County Cricket Club, King took five wickets in an innings for the first time when he was 17. He repeated the feat in 2003, the year he became Bank of England Governor.

Known as a monetary hardliner and 'inflation nutter', King is in India for two weeks to see cricket, talk cricket and promote "Chance to Shine", a charitable organisation to promote cricket at the school level.

He delivered a talk on international monetary system in Delhi and another on inflation management at the Reserve Bank of India headquarters on Mint Road in Mumbai this week.

However, in his itinerary, these functions are incidental. The real objective of his India visit is to propagate the cause of cricket, the game which teaches one to be a better professional with leadership qualities.

Business Standard got him talking cricket at the historic CK Naidu Hall of Cricket Club of India today, flanked by four former Indian cricketers "" Nari Contractor, Polly Umrigar, Ajit Wadekar and Md Azharuddin. Excerpts:

What is closer to your heart "" cricket or central banking?

Both. You just can't do only one job. You must make your life interesting. I have a fixed term and I won't remain the governor for ever. So, I must have other identities. It also works as an antidote.

So, you wear two hats?

Not two. Actually, I wear five hats. I am into music and art and I love playing tennis.

Is there any synergy between playing cricket and central banking?

Oh, yes. There is plenty. Cricket is all about team spirit and leadership "" two key qualities one would need to succeed in any profession.

Why are you so keen to introduce cricket to school children?

Only 10 per cent of the schools in the UK play cricket. Competition has disappeared from students' lives. Children must know how to play cricket, how to win and lose. Parents also want their children to play cricket. They do not want the soccer players to be the role models for their children. There is too much of money and bad behaviour in football. Cricket has a soul.

How do you rate the visiting English team?

They will have a tough time. They have injury problems and do not have a genuine slow blower. They will also find it difficult in the heat of Indian summer. I wish Vikram Solanki, the captain of the Worcestershire county team, was in the team.

How do you find Rahul Dravid as a captain?

He is doing a brilliant job. The Indian team lost the Test series in Pakistan but fought back and won the One-Day series. He led from the front and there was great team work.

May I know your view on interest rates?

We will only talk cricket today. Before I left for India, MCC President Tom Graveney told me, "You'll be meeting the finance minister, the RBI governor and other finance professionals.

But you must not forget to meet Mr Raj Singh Dungarpur." Let's focus only on cricket.