Five Firsts

Rice, peanuts, amnesia

Being sledged by Steve Waugh, whipping up an Indian meal, working on the land



'What's this? Thought I told you to toss another prawn on the barbie' © AFP

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First job
Working for my father on the farm, planting peanuts, chipping weeds out of peanuts, and fencing.

First international six
Hmm... I have no recollection of my first six... hold on... no, can't remember it!

First thing I do when I step onto a cricket ground
I always step in with my right foot and say "On" - making sure I am switched on and telling myself this is not practice or anything off the field. It sort of helps start my day.

First memorable sledge
There have been plenty! The first one came from Steve Waugh. Those were the first words he ever spoke to me, as well. It was my second game for Queensland, against New South Wales. "This isn't school cricket now, fat boy," he said. And I replied, "Mate, I don't give a shit who you are. I'll get a big score."

First Indian dish I cooked
It has to be the rice. Dal tadka was the first gravy I learnt to make. Dal makhni as well. When I'm in India, I often eat rice, pickle and curd. I find it filling enough and it gives me energy - spicy enough with the chilly and olive oil in the pickle, and the curd just to cool everything down. I try everything but I always find myself coming back to these three things.

Matthew HaydenSteve Waugh

As told to Sriram Veera