“im looking forward to rectifying what happened this winter”
Pakistan arrive in England at the end of June for four tests and five one-day international.So,you’ll be looking to put the winter results behind you?
The trip to pakistan was disappointing.We lost the test series 2-0 and the the one-dayers as well,which was a shame..It’s very tough playing pakistan in pakistanbut hopefully in england,conditions will be more in our favour,at least because their batsmen aren’t so used to the seaming ball. I’m looking forward to rectifying what happend this winter.
How impressed were you with their pace attack out there?
Everyone knows about shoaib akhtar and how fast he bowls.But Naved-ul-hassan was more of a surprise package.Although he had played county cricket for sussex and done very well.They had a young side,there was alot of inexperience there,but they performed very well.The thing is,conditions might even suit fast bowlers because it seams around a lot in england.Just because its at home does not mean we will beat them easily.
After the winter tour,is it good tp be back in front of the english fan again?
I definitely love playing in front of the english crowds,although I am not quite sure if the reaction will be quite the same as it was last summer.That was just amazing.but playing at your home ground like lord’s,Old trafford and edgebaston is always great.It will be great if the public decides to show the same enthusuasm they did last time.
Were you surprised the way cricket was embraced last summer?
There was a lot of hype before the ashes series.It started about six months becfore the series got going,and built up the closer we got.After the first test we started playing properly,and after each test the interest grew.People in the street were coming up to us - it was all about cricket, and it was great to see sport in both and front and back.
Did the interest change you as a person at all?
The important things have remained the same,like family and friends.Nothing’s different really,its just that the profile of the game and the players had gone through the roof.There was so much attention probably more from the media then the public.
And have you enjoyed that?
I still get followed by the paparazzi sometimes when I go to the supermarket,and it’s bit of a pain to be honest.But it’s the downsideto what we’re doing.I just wish we could go back to the way it was before.
It could all happen again this summer - it’s not long before you meet the aussies again…
The hype started already ahead of this winter’s ashes.But we have to remember that we have a tough summer ahead of us first.Sometimes it’s as the summer is not really happening at all. People want to leapfrog it straigt to novemberat brisbane.But the excitment will grow as the weeks and months go by.
And then there’s the world cup next march.Given the choic,which would you rather win:The ashes or the World cup.
I’d rather win the ashes,but probably only because it’s first.I don’t prioritise really.I’d really like to win them both.I want both medals on my mantelpiece!
source: Sky magazine
