`My double-first doesn't help when I walk out to bat'

Ed Smith, the prolific Kent batsman, is set to make his Test debut for England tomorrow. As Smith prepared to win his first cap at Trent Bridge, Wisden CricInfo brought the man with the "planet-sized brain" down to earth by interrupting him for a few moments:

What does it feel like, finally making it to the England side, after scoring almost 7000 first-class runs?
My aim in my first Test is quite simple - I just want to play well. I've had a good run of form and scored a few centuries this season, and I just want to take that into the Test and play well for England.

What have you done differently this season?
I haven't changed very much. I've felt in good form since my trip to India in January, where I worked on a few things at the Cricket Club of India. Ever since then, I've felt good when I've walked out to bat and I've got a lot of hundreds.

But surely you've changed something?
The one thing I have deliberately changed in the recent past is the type of bat I'm using. About two or three years ago I started using a bat with a longer handle. I did this on the advice of Vasu Paranjpe. That has helped my balance and it helped me get a bit tighter.

How did going to India help?
I've been to India twice. The first time I came down was in 2001 when I stayed at the CCI for about a month. And then I came down again this winter, in January. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips and made some very good friendships in Bombay. On both trips I learned a great deal about cricket - especially playing spin and batting on wickets that are on the slower side. I'd have to say those two trips to India were a big part of my development as a cricketer.

How much of the game is played in the mind?
I'd say about 50% of the game is mental. But it's not really about percentages. There's a great deal in having your mind in exactly the right state when you're playing. Of course, you have to get things right with the physical aspects as well, and it helps to be in good form, but you can never undermine the importance of being in the right frame of mind.

They say you have "a brain the size of the planet" ...
Well (laughs), that's certainly an exaggeration I'm afraid. People certainly like to exaggerate these things, don't they?

But you've written a book ... cricket's generally a blokeish profession where people are good at hitting a ball or bowling one, but not much else?
I have written a book, and am writing another one now. The first one was a comparison of cricket and baseball, and what they mean to England and America. It grew out of my experiences in New York, where I fell in love with the New York Mets baseball team. I wrote a book comparing the two games, so to that extent I'm guilty as charged of having a life outside cricket!

And a double-first in history from Cambridge on top of writing books ...
Unfortunately that doesn't help me when I walk out to bat. The two things don't have very much to do with each other. When I'm batting I'm very much thinking like a cricketer. And I try my best to play cricket as a cricketer. The double-first does nothing for me when I'm at the crease, I'm afraid.

Apparently there are a few bowlers who think you're a bit susceptible to the short stuff?
We'll see on Thursday. We'll all find out soon enough. I'm looking forward to playing on Thursday. I want to enjoy playing my first Test and then enjoy playing for England.

Haven't you credited Steve Waugh for helping with your game?
I really enjoyed playing with Steve. I learned a lot from batting at the other end, when he was here. He was not in the greatest form, but fought his way out of it with some very positive cricket. As much as batting with him, it was terrific to talk to him about batting, about cricket. I did learn a lot from him.