Michael Kasprowicz was but 17 when he made his first-class debut for Queensland, fortunate enough to share a dressing room with the likes of Craig McDermott, Carl Rackemann, Allan Border and coach Jeff Thomson. It took him a further seven years to break into the Australian Test side; a decade of international cricket has seen him play no more than 38 Tests and 43 one-dayers.

Typically, though, the big paceman has no regrets. At 35, he is closer to the end of his career than its beginning. Three tours of India, a wonderfully fighting hand in the 2005 Edgbaston Test when, despite a 59-run last-wicket stand with Brett Lee, he couldn't prevent Australia from losing by two runs, and 944 first-class wickets have to be the highlights of a journey Kasprowicz believes is not over yet. In Bangalore as a goodwill ambassador for the University of Queensland, Kasprowicz spoke to Deccan Herald on his eventful career. Excerpts:

First-class debut at 17, a bit of a wait for your Test debut. How do you look back at the early days?
To have the opportunity to play first-class cricket for Queensland at 17 was quite an honour. Growing up, I had idols like every young cricket fan, but I was in the rare situation of being with my idols in a dressing room, playing cricket with Carl Rackemann, Allan Border, Craig McDermott through the early years. For me, growing up as a fast bowler in Queensland and watching a McDermott, a Rackemann and learning from them, and also having Thommo come out as the coach — it was perfect for a young fast bowler. Just to have that resource, the information those people had, to soak in and improve oneself was awesome. I was the fifth youngest to play for Queensland. It was remarkable for Queensland to go with that because I was essentially not proven. I had only played grade cricket and bowled to them in the nets, so I guess they were taking a bit of a punt. And 18 years later, there is probably a justification!

Any regrets that you haven't played more for Australia?
It was the time when within the Australian side, there were a lot of very good players. I have no regrets because everytime I did get an opportunity, I knew that I tried my best. Whether that was at the 'Gabba or over here in Bangalore at 45 degrees — everytime, I was out competing and trying my best. I suppose with the strength of the Australian side, sometimes, that opportunity is not even there. It was great to get the go, to get the chance of playing and knowing where you stood in the pecking order.

You are known as something of an India expert. What is it about playing in India that makes such demands of players from outside the sub-continent?
The conditions themselves are so different from what we are used to back in Australia. Combined with the heat, the humidity and even the crowds too, I suppose, it is different playing here, and very challenging. When you are playing against batsmen like Tendulkar and Dravid on their home soil, where they have grown up and learnt their skills to play in those conditions — it is a real challenge. To me, it's possibly the most rewarding thing I have ever done — definitely the hardest and the most challenging cricket. With that being the case, if this was the hardest, then everything else was always going to be easier! I remember a one-day game in Kochi. I had to leave the field after 4-5 overs, I couldn't breathe because of the heat. It was actually a bit on the dangerous side. They took me off, put me in the icebath. A lot of guys were vomitting in the bus on the way home.

Your memories of that Kolkata Test in 2001?
It was interesting to be part of that. Australia won the first Test in Mumbai in three days. Coming to Kolkata, we were on top, we had the chance to enforce the follow-on and we did that because that is the Australian way. When you are on top of the opposition, we go hard. On the third day, we got a few early wickets, but Laxman and Dravid were in that night. The following day was one of the more amazing days of cricket I have ever played in in that there wasn't one chance, not one opportunity or one half-chance that came by. They batted so well. Laxman made 281 -- and I think there was talk about him nearly being dropped because he wasn't in form. It was nice to contribute to Indian cricket!!

And, of course, the successful 2004 tour...
From a personal point of view, what was so good about that tour was that we changed some of the tactics we had employed in the past in India, by building up pressure and bowling different lines. In 2004, we had different tactics — we wanted to almost bowl to the strengths of the Indian players by bowling straighter at them. We had to change some fielding positions. The most pleasing part of that was that we executed what we set out to do. It is always hard work coming here to India and playing in these conditions, but pleasing and satisfying that we had a gameplan and executed it and it worked.

What was it like, bowling alongside Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne?
Jeff Thomson had the pace, McDermott was a terrific swing bowler. Growing up under them was awesome. Coming through to time with Glenn — he was just amazing in his skill. Both Glenn and Shane executed their skills terrifically. What they could do so well for so many years is why they are as good as they are. Glenn especially, because his record is astounding. For a fast bowler, in all conditions, everywhere, he averages around 22 or 23, which is incredible. His accuracy is unrelenting. That's the standard all young bowlers look up to. People want something mystical, but the secret to his success was keeping it simple. He doesn't complicate things. He is quick to change and adapt. Obviously, he has the height and gets bounce, and he can move the ball more than a bit.
Australia come here next month for a one-day series and India travel Down Under in December for a full tour.

Your thoughts?
It is going to be a good challenge here in India. With Australia being the World champions, there will be a lot of expectation on them to come out and play well. I am confident the Australian side can play well and win, and so they should because they have dominated world cricket for a number of years. When India come to Australia, they will be doing so after beating England, the second-ranked team in the world. It will be good for Test cricket and Australian cricket. Australia are on a high after last summer, beating England 5-0. Before India, they have to play Sri Lanka in a couple of Tests. With Murali coming back to Australia, there is a component there that's going to be exciting as well. For Australian cricket lovers, it is going to be a great summer.