Q: What was your first overseas Test match?
A: Australia v England, MCG 1998. My first trip Down Under and I wasn’t really there for the cricket, it was just a coincidence. I’d seen England quite a bit at home but had never considered travelling to watch them away – this was just a normal holiday which we tweaked once we realised that England were in Oz. We arrived from spending Xmas in Hobart with friends to watch Day 3. I Instantly got hooked by the whole deal – especially the incessant convict baiting. I went the next day, we won, and that was it for me!
Q: What is your most memorable overseas Test match you’ve seen?
A: Australia v England, MCG 2010. We all love thrilling climaxes to test matches but I’m sorry, trampling the convicts into the dirt like I’d never seen before was amazing. Day one was the Perfect 10. 98 all out vs 157/0.
Q: Who is your favourite current England player?
A: Stuart Broad. His ‘mojo’ moments have been unforgettable. My favourite was his 6/17 at a hostile Joburg in 2016. The more abuse everyone around us yelled, the better he got! I missed his 8 wicket haul v Australia in 2015 because I only had a ticket for the non-existent day 3!!!!
Q: Who is your favourite England player of all time?
A: Alastair Cook. He got called out to Pakistan in 2005, flew alone on our flight, then sat bewildered in the lounge at Lahore Airport waiting for the Multan flight with me, my Dad, and Geoffrey Boycott! I followed his fortunes with huge bias from that day.
Q: Who is your favourite opposition player of all time?
A: I thought about this for ages but I couldn’t get away from Sachin Tendulkar. I have a salt & pepper set at home nicked from his Mumbai restaurant in 2006!
Q: What is your favourite overseas Test ground and why?
A: Most of the nice grounds have been ruined by redevelopment – including the once beautiful Adelaide Oval. Galle is overrated! I love some of the small grassy grounds, but I’m going to say Basin Reserve Wellington.
Q: Which country is your favourite to tour and why?
A: It was Sri Lanka until they started ripping us off. So New Zealand wins. Beautiful country, quite cheap, hassle free, and such amiable folk.
Q: Of all the cities/towns you visited on town, which is your favourite and why?
A: I’ll say Galle for the week on the beach in Unawatuna. Although In 2012 after a very ‘rustic’ curry at the ground on day 1 I seriously got the squits and I couldn’t hold in any food or drink for about a week and I spent every evening in my room.
Q: What is your most memorable non cricket moment on tour?
A: Thirsty Whale in Napier in 2008 when most of the players came in. I was already on free beer all night thanks to a fellow Luton Town fan I’d befriended at the match who was a local brewery rep. We ended up with Broad, Colly, Harmy and Monty all around us and being sociable.
Q: What do you enjoy most about touring?
A: I really enjoy the routine if I’m travelling with mates. Up at 9am. Breakfast. Cricket. Beers. Dinner. More beers. Bed. Repeat! I actually prefer not to get pissed during the day’s play on tour. It’s important to have new stuff lined up in between tests too – this is very easy somewhere like NZ.