[But England have not achieved greatness yet, nor Australia not lost this test of character.] I think we have come though pretty well in tough situations, ... We batted against the wall and made 379. |
[Nor, he tried to insist, would the series' epic quality.] If we don't win I won't enjoy it, ... As a Test cricketer - and I've played 120-odd [126] - the series you remember are the close ones. A two-day Test against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh is not that enjoyable. Going to India and being tested in their conditions, playing South Africa, playing England the way they are playing now - they are the series people remember. As players you want to be tested. You don't want easy games. At the moment everybody is being tested. A Test match is a test of your technique, your patience, a test of everything about you. |
A clean sweep is a realistic dream in the coming years, |
After every Test match, we've both been celebrating together. |
All Graeme Smith did was say some ridiculous stuff. |
Anyone who thinks the game is over hasn't been watching the same game or seen the conditions. |
At the moment my kids are the most important thing to me, |
At the moment we're still the best side in the world, |
Back in April I said this guy has got the X-factor about him and I think he's very, very dangerous, |
Before the Galle (first) test, I didn't really think about it, but...if I bowl as well as I bowled in this one and it's a turning wicket, then I suppose there is a chance, |
But I did not mean to say that others were going after cheap wickets as had been made out to be. |
But it's very hard being on the road. It's very lonely. |
But once you do that it's a beautiful place to bat, the ball comes onto the bat nicely and the bounce is even. |
But when it's Glenn McGrath, arguably the best fast bowler in the world, you want to give him every chance to play and if that means it's a last-minute decision then it's a last-minute decision. |
Criticism is never nice, but you accept it because it comes with the territory. Stories that are completely unsubstantiated and untrue are another matter, |