'If I wasn't a cricketer I would trade in the derivatives market'
Rob Key on his 221 at Lord's, the best thing about Canterbury, and advice he'd give his 18-year-old self
Interview by Jack Wilson
02-May-2014
"Hold the chicken, please" • PA Photos
Talk us through that 221 against West Indies. What can you remember from that knock?
It was a good day, I enjoyed that. It was one of the better days on a cricket field I had.
It was a good day, I enjoyed that. It was one of the better days on a cricket field I had.
Is it true that you snuck out for a cigarette when you were unbeaten at lunch?
(Laughs) No, never. I had to see the Queen!
(Laughs) No, never. I had to see the Queen!
Describe your England career in one word.
Short.
Short.
There's a five-a-side football competition featuring all 18 counties. Who do you pick in your Kent team?
Can I have myself five times?
Can I have myself five times?
No.
Okay, I'll have me, Sam Northeast, Ben Harmison, Adam Ball and Sam Billings then.
Okay, I'll have me, Sam Northeast, Ben Harmison, Adam Ball and Sam Billings then.
Who wouldn't be near it?
Mark Davies.
Mark Davies.
And who's captain?
Myself.
Myself.
What's the worst thing about captaincy?
Having to go to long media days.
Having to go to long media days.
You wear No. 4. Why?
It was the squad number I was given. If I'd thought more about it, I would have had 23 like Michael Jordan and Shane Warne.
It was the squad number I was given. If I'd thought more about it, I would have had 23 like Michael Jordan and Shane Warne.
What is the best thing about playing cricket at Canterbury?
There's a Sainsbury's at the ground.
There's a Sainsbury's at the ground.
If you could go back and give an 18-year-old Rob Key some advice, what would it be?
Don't eat biscuits.
Don't eat biscuits.
There's some downtime in the Sky commentary box. Who do you least want to be around?
No one, they're all good value. I enjoy Charles Colville and Ian Ward's company the most.
No one, they're all good value. I enjoy Charles Colville and Ian Ward's company the most.
What would you call a book about your life?
I've no idea. It's not finished yet!
I've no idea. It's not finished yet!
Describe yourself in three words.
Very, very realistic.
Very, very realistic.
What would you be if you weren't a pro cricketer?
Trade in the derivatives market.
Trade in the derivatives market.
Who is the most naturally gifted cricketer you've played with?
Matthew Walker.
Matthew Walker.
You have three first-class wickets. Who are they?
Peter Trego, who should have played for England, Ben Phillips, who should have played for England, and David Willey, who is going to play for England.
Peter Trego, who should have played for England, Ben Phillips, who should have played for England, and David Willey, who is going to play for England.
What do you order at Nandos?
It's quite expensive now. I've spent ages trying to get the black card. For years I had chicken with no chips but now I'd probably have chips and less chicken.
It's quite expensive now. I've spent ages trying to get the black card. For years I had chicken with no chips but now I'd probably have chips and less chicken.
If you needed one batsman to keep out six balls to save a game, who would you have?
Adam Riley.
Adam Riley.
Rob Key was speaking at a NatWest T20 Blast event. Tickets can be purchased from www.ecb.co.uk/natwestt20blast