'The day I was sacked'

Craig Smith, the former South African physio, is at Trent Bridge. Currently working with Nottinghamshire, Smith remembers his 11-year stint with South Africa but also narrates the way it all ended: "I got sacked as physio the same day that Hansie Cronje died [on June 1, 2002]. I got a call and was told that both me and Graham Ford were not needed anymore. An hour later I heard of Cronje's death. It was really hard but one needed to move on."

Smith then came over to England and enjoyed a short stay at Lancashire before moving over to Notts. "I had a chat with Tim Robinson, the former England opener, and he helped me move here." The last four years at Notts have been fruitful for Smith, the highpoint being the County Championship medal in 2005.

He has big hopes for Ryan Sidebottom, who moved from Yorkshire to Nottinghamshire four summers ago. "I think Ryan's actually found it easier on his comeback because he knows exactly what to do now. He knows his areas well and he'll always bowl well irrespective of the conditions."

He also worked with Kevin Pietersen for a year - Smith's first year at Notts was KP's last. Surprisingly he didn't know Pietersen in South Africa but adds: "England's gain. What else can I say?"