The Surfer

It is a call that Rohit Sharma and others like Suresh Raina must take. Do they want to make T20 their universe, exist as a series of short, incandescent bursts, where failure is frequented as often as success? Or do they want to take their extraordinary ability towards other horizons? It is not as easy a decision as it seems for sooner or later they will be confronted by that enemy of ambition — the comfort factor. A sharp fast bowler who makes life uncomfortable can only come at you for 12 balls, or maybe even six (notice how T20 is slowly replacing the word ‘over’). There are always a couple of bowlers you can punish. And forty five minutes is about as long an innings will last.

People who suffer traumatic experiences are frequently known to repress them, bury them so deep inside their psyche that they can't consciously remember them. Personally, I am convinced that in December 2006 I spent a glorious time with my Australian relatives; that my stay in Perth was marked by a five-day period of festivals, feasting and spa treatments before moving on to Melbourne on Boxing Day for a magical three days hanging out with Kylie. I just need an explanation for the involuntary spasms whenever I hear the words "Mike Hussey".

Kevin Pietersen v Michael Clarke
I expect Pietersen to rise to the occasion and cement his position as one of the great batsmen of the moment. Like all captains, Ponting hates the feeling of not being in control of events in the field and Pietersen is the player who can change the course of a game in a session. Clarke, though, has questions to answer: he has never been that successful in England, either for Hampshire as an overseas player or in the 2005 series, and technically he has looked suspect against the moving ball. Verdict: Pietersen

That is the beauty of cricket in Asia. Coaching is not restrictive. It is correctly used to sand paper some rough edges but it encourages instinct and expression. Enormously strong wrists will be in action as deliveries that would normally be driven straight as per coaching manuals are whipped away square on the leg side in a disdainful manner. Mystery spinners will hoodwink batsmen as unconventional finger and wrist action will unravel some of the best wielders of willow around.

"I remember landing a day or two before the match in Pakistan. The second ball I faced, I just tried to on-drive, probably I was overconfident and managed to flick it back to Saqlain and I was caught and bowled. It was very disappointing as the team was expecting much from me. But that made me determined to do well in the second innings and score some runs. It was tougher in the second innings. We lost early wickets and the wicket wasn’t easy to bat on. It was very satisfying to score a hundred there.

To let himself and England down when the team were supposed to be opening their eyes to the wider world and learning about those who gave their lives for the country seems particularly crass. This is a big test for the Strauss-Flower regime. They have made an excellent impression as a partnership capable of lifting England from the depths to become credible Ashes challengers.

All of us were caught up in a crescendo of excitement. The country at that time might be weighed down by shortages, war-weary demeanours and all the signs of the demob-suit aura. But, come on, we were here to see the Australians. Not quite the Ashes, but the next best thing.

Matthew Hoggard

Certainly, despite its genteel reputation, few games are as psychologically arduous. On-field aggression is rife: former Australian captain Steve Waugh once described his sledging techniques as “mental disintegration”; while South African batsman Daryll Cullinan was so distressed by Shane Warne’s intimidation that he took time out for therapy, only to be greeted on his return with the words “I’m going to send you straight back to the leather couch,” from his tormentor. Long foreign tours have also seen intense homesickness suffered by players like Steven Harmison, and contributed to Marcus Trescothick’s breakdown and resignation from the England side in 2006.

Let me take you back to India's last tour in the UK in 2007. There were seven ODIs and at the Oval, India were 2-3 down and India won a marvelous match at the oval on a beautiful sunny day and the ground was packed. It was 3-3 and there were Indians throughout the UK who wanted to buy tickets to the last match a few days later here. And for anybody to say that fifty over cricket is finished internationally, they only have to look back to that seven-match series. It was electric, wonderful, skilful, and of course it provided a whole day's entertainment as opposed to requiring two T20 matches to provide the same duration of entertainment.

The pictures that will endure are the lovely cover drive, sometimes off one knee, and the front foot pull, as assertive as it was thrilling. His batting was splendid and frequently a thing of beauty but when they remember England captains, well then they will be really talking.