'I'd happily play for West Indies'
Warwickshire's Keith Barker on his football career, his badminton skills, and the advice he'd give his 12-year-old self
Interview by Jack Wilson
08-Nov-2014
Keith Barker (left) with his team-mate Chris Wright, a dancing disaster • PA Photos
You have played youth football for England and cricket for England Lions. What gave you more of a buzz?
It's a tough one. I'll probably have to go for the cricket. With the football, because it was for the youth teams, I was always playing against guys the same age as myself. But I played cricket against Australia with the Lions and there were some big names, some top players to come up against.
It's a tough one. I'll probably have to go for the cricket. With the football, because it was for the youth teams, I was always playing against guys the same age as myself. But I played cricket against Australia with the Lions and there were some big names, some top players to come up against.
Are there any other sports you are handy at?
I'm half-decent at most sports, really. I used to play Steffan Piolet at badminton and would regularly demolish him. He rated himself quite highly. The school got me to play in a badminton tournament once because I was good at cricket - and I won it. I've played a bit of table tennis too.
I'm half-decent at most sports, really. I used to play Steffan Piolet at badminton and would regularly demolish him. He rated himself quite highly. The school got me to play in a badminton tournament once because I was good at cricket - and I won it. I've played a bit of table tennis too.
What made you hang up your football boots?
It was a slow death, dropping further and further down the leagues at different clubs. I lost my love of playing, really.
It was a slow death, dropping further and further down the leagues at different clubs. I lost my love of playing, really.
What has been the highlight of your sporting career?
Winning the County Championship with Warwickshire in 2012 was massive - but it's hard to say, there's been a quite a few. Any trophy win is special but I'd say being called up to represent my country in two different sports.
Winning the County Championship with Warwickshire in 2012 was massive - but it's hard to say, there's been a quite a few. Any trophy win is special but I'd say being called up to represent my country in two different sports.
Who is the best footballer you have played with?
Tugay [Kerimoğlu], in training at Blackburn, was incredible.
Tugay [Kerimoğlu], in training at Blackburn, was incredible.
Which cricketer is the best at football?
At five a side, Ian Westwood is a clinical finisher. Jim Troughton could pull out a worldie overhead kick from time to time. And William Porterfield will throw himself at anything. Rikki Clarke thinks he's better than he actually is. I'll go with Chris Woakes. He's solid.
At five a side, Ian Westwood is a clinical finisher. Jim Troughton could pull out a worldie overhead kick from time to time. And William Porterfield will throw himself at anything. Rikki Clarke thinks he's better than he actually is. I'll go with Chris Woakes. He's solid.
And who is the worst?
Recordo Gordon. He has two wrong feet.
Recordo Gordon. He has two wrong feet.
You are eligible to play cricket for England and West Indies. If the West Indies came calling, would you say yes?
Yeah, I would. I'd play for whoever came first. England don't seem to be showing too much interest, so I'd happily play for West Indies.
Yeah, I would. I'd play for whoever came first. England don't seem to be showing too much interest, so I'd happily play for West Indies.
If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would be the first thing you'd buy?
A Bentley.
A Bentley.
Who is the worst dancer in the Warwickshire dressing room?
Stef Piolet was, but he's gone. It has to be Chris Wright, by a long way. He struggles for rhythm but he's slowly getting better. His kids can dance but they don't get it from him, because he can't!
Stef Piolet was, but he's gone. It has to be Chris Wright, by a long way. He struggles for rhythm but he's slowly getting better. His kids can dance but they don't get it from him, because he can't!
Who spends the most time in front of the mirror?
Do I even need to say? Laurie Evans. He's the Birmingham Becks, isn't he?
Do I even need to say? Laurie Evans. He's the Birmingham Becks, isn't he?
You have a long away trip and are on the team coach. Who do you not want to be sat next to?
It's a good group but Rikki Clarke has got the worst football chat. He just keeps talking about Spurs.
It's a good group but Rikki Clarke has got the worst football chat. He just keeps talking about Spurs.
Warwickshire have a bowl-out to win the Twenty20 Cup. Who is most likely to hit the stumps?
Recordo Gordon, I'd back him.
Recordo Gordon, I'd back him.
Who has been the biggest influence on your cricketing career?
My dad and my brothers. I used to watch them play and I would always want to be better than they were.
My dad and my brothers. I used to watch them play and I would always want to be better than they were.
Who is the quickest bowler you have ever faced?
Tino Best.
Tino Best.
If you could give a 12-year-old Keith Barker some words of advice, what would they be?
Do well at school, because bowling hurts.
Do well at school, because bowling hurts.
What would you be doing now if you were not a cricketer?
I'd be online searching for jobs.
I'd be online searching for jobs.