'I treat every game as if it's my last'

Looking back, were you surprised to be picked for the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka tours?
I suppose so. I was quite hopeful after a good spell at the academy and a good season with Worcestershire, but you can never count your chickens in this game. Let's just say I had my fingers crossed.

How did you find out?
David Graveney told Tom Moody before the C&G Trophy semi-final against Lancashire. It was a special feeling.

How do you feel both tours went?
From a stats point of view, it wasn't magnificent. But from a performance point of view, it would have been a different story if things had gone my way. I had a few bad umpiring decisions and dropped catches - but that's part of the game, you just have to get on with it. All you can do is perform as well as you can. In an ideal world, I would have got some more wickets. I started well, but tailed off a bit.

How did you find bowling on those wickets?
I had been to Pakistan and Sri Lanka before with the academy, so I knew what to expect. It didn't turn like everyone said it would, apart from when Murali was bowling, but he would turn it on the road outside my house. I never felt under pressure from the management, but I put myself under pressure to do well.

Did you take any notice of some of the criticism from commentators and journalists?
Not really. I would have liked more wickets, but I took more than any of their spinners, apart from Murali, and they're supposed to be the experts. It was a learning curve, I'm not going to be down in the mouth about it.

Did you get on well with the rest of the team?
Yeah, I got on with everybody. We all worked really hard together and encouraged each other. I knew Ready [Chris Read], Clarkey [Rikki Clarke] and Jimmy [James Anderson] from the academy, and also the Surrey lads from my time there.

Did you feel under any more pressure after Robert Croft arrived during the Sri Lanka tour?
No, not really. We needed another spinner and his arrival was an added bonus, to be honest. Along with Ashley Giles, it meant I could pick the brains of another quality spinner. They both helped me immensely, and in Ashley's case, on and off the pitch too. Crofty told me the qualities of patience, and not to worry that Murali was turning it more than me.

Did the management reassure you of your place in the team?
I'm not the sort who works like that. I treat every game as if it's my last. I never relax. I had done myself justice in the first two Tests in Sri Lanka, and would have been disappointed to have been left out in place of Crofty. However, he's a fantastic bowler and was surprised he retired from international cricket. It's great news for Glamorgan, though, I'm sure they're rubbing their hands together with delight.

Your batting was a success. Did you go out with a specific plan?
I was pretty confident in my ability, I always have been. I've flattered to deceive at Worcestershire and not made as many runs as I should, but I knew I could play. Fletch [Duncan Fletcher] gave me a few tips on how to play Murali, and being a spinner myself helped me to know what he was trying to do with the ball. I'm not going to put my neck on the line and say I could pick him, but I could kind of see what was coming.

You were instrumental in helping England draw the first two Tests in Sri Lanka, that must have given you confidence?
Loads of players were involved at some point during the games, it wasn't just me. It was a team performance. It was good to play a part in it, but I just wanted the team to do well.

You also made the headlines after your swimming accident - what exactly happened there?
Myself, Vaughany [Michael Vaughan] and Hoggy [Matthew Hoggard] went out to sea for a swim. The guard said it would be fine, but the current was stronger than we thought and Vaughany had to call for help. The whole thing was blown out of proportion. I only got a few scratches from the rocks - nothing to bother a Yorkshireman.

Did you ever have any doubts about making the trip to Caribbean?
I've got no divine right to be there. Hopefully I showed I was improving and now they've stuck with me, I'm going to try and repay their faith. I'm not going out with any particular gameplan. I'll just play it by ear, see what the wickets produce and assess it as I play.

Has your move from Surrey to Worcestershire helped your cause?
I can't say - you can never tell what might have happened. I made it no secret that I never wanted to leave Surrey, but I had to in order to get some regular cricket. The move's been great for me. Worcestershire are really progressing, and I want to continue to be a part of that. Tom Moody has been great, and Steve Rhodes has been a help behind the stumps. I'm really settled there now and we've started to talk contracts.

What's your view on the state of the county game?
Certain things need to be tinkered with, for example some of the wickets weren't as good as they could have been. But I genuinely believe there is more talent coming through in England than in Australia. The future of English cricket is very bright. The academy is a magnificent facility and they are harnessing the talent in the right way. Our main aim is to win back the Ashes, and let's hope we can do so next time we play them.

You also had a spell at the academy in Australia - did that help?
It was brilliant. A real stepping stone in my career. It's a great asset to English cricket. It taught me a whole range of things, from cricket to fitness to life skills.

What would be your ideal future?
For Worcestershire to be a dominant county for the next 10 years, and for England to be the dominant nation. To be involved in both would be special.