A desire to attack
Attack
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Actually it is very similar to batting with Gary Kirsten. We keep things simple. Graeme and I are both aggressive players, and we like to try and dominate attacks. It really is enjoyable batting with him.
Not much, actually. We just keep each other ticking over, maybe he notices something in my technique or I do in his and we share the info. Again it's about keeping things simple in the middle.
I think they are pretty similar actually. Both are aggressive players. Graeme is perhaps physically more imposing, but both are just great to bat with.
Not at all.
I think through the years the experience I have gained has helped me define my role, and refine my technique according to what form of the game I am playing. I have also learnt to adapt to different conditions a little quicker. My physical condition has changed since I started, I am a lot stronger now. Having said all that I believe that the one thing that I have learnt that has helped me has been patience.
I do still have a boyish streak in me and I hope I never lose it |
My bats now are a lot heavier than the ones I started with. They also have much thicker edges and a "bow" to them. Although they are heavy, they still pick up very light as the weight is very well distributed. I have yet to find a better bat than the ones Gunn & Moore have made for me over the last eight years.
I would like to think that I have matured a lot since my career began. Well, I hope I have, I'm now 30! I am enjoying life now more than ever, but I do still have a boyish streak in me and I hope I never lose it.
No, not at all. I have never been captaincy or vice-captaincy material, too much thinking involved there.
Definitely not.
In one-day cricket the risks I take are more calculated, but I play a lot by instinct. I think it's best just to play the situation as it arises.
I have not practised that shot for years. It was taught to me by [former West Indies opener] Desmond Haynes when he was at Western Province. It's useful on slow, low pitches.
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Not at the moment.
I don't really have anyone, but if I really want to I speak with Peter Kirsten, my coach at Western Province.
Every position in the order has responsibilities - as an opener it's important to lay a sound foundation as well as try and set the pace for the innings. I don't think the responsibility stops us openers from playing our natural game - which, in my case, is attacking.
Sometimes my footwork is a little lazy, and I get caught out outside off stump.
I'm definitely not a laptop man.
In one-dayers, my World Cup hundreds: 104 against Australia in the Super Sixes at Headingley in 1999, and the 142 versus New Zealand at the Wanderers last year. Although we lost both games, they were still very enjoyable knocks. In Test cricket it would be the 228 I got against Pakistan at Newlands in January 2003. Graeme and I put on over 300 in that match, and to play such a big knock at my favourite - and home - ground was special. Then there is the 107 I enjoyed making against the Australians at Kingsmead a couple of years ago, where we went on to win the Test.
I have a desire to keep the board ticking over at a healthy rate, and I think I am at my best when I am striking the ball in an attacking mode.
Two very contrasting batsmen. Peter Kirsten - a small man, like me, he had wonderful touch and feel, great hands and timing. He could shred an attack and the bowlers would not even notice. And Viv Richards - a big man. He had such power and could dominate with sheer physical force. He was the ultimate destroyer. At his best he gave bowlers almost no options.
Firstly I would like to think I have a good six or seven years at the top left in me. Now that I have settled my game, I would like to be consistent and continue to strive to fulfil my potential completely.