My batting used to get criticised ...now I’m in the world’s top 10
PERFECT START
That was a really enjoyable first Test, an exciting performance from us and a game that captured people’s imaginations. I don’t know if it was the start of a new era. Everybody seemed the same as they always are, but it was important to make a good start under Joe Root’s captaincy. We did exactly that but Joe will know things won’t go his or our way all the time. We will keep this victory in perspective. For now, it’s the perfect start.
THE SAME JOE
We have said from the start that nobody expected Joe to change as a person or cricketer now he’s captain and his fantastic, match-winning 190 showed that. He wasn’t really any different in the dressing room either. It’s important he has his say and goes about things the way he wants to — he did exactly that.
A DIFFERENT LORD’S
That was an unusual Lord’s pitch but it made for a brilliant Test. Sometimes we can worry in England if we see the ball turning but this was nothing like what we saw in Bangladesh during the winter. If anything, the challenge was greater at Lord’s: you could never be sure whether the ball was going to turn or not. But I don’t think anyone expected 19 wickets on the fourth day…
PUTTING TESTS FIRST
I had a different experience before the match when I was asked to address the MCC world cricket committee, who advise the ICC on changes in cricket. It was both a privilege and a bit daunting. My message was that international cricket is a good place to be and Test cricket remains the pinnacle, despite all the Twenty20 leagues around. It is imperative we do everything to ensure leading players want to put Test cricket first.
MAGNIFICENT MO
Moeen Ali’s not bad, is he? He’s copped a bit of stick over the last couple of years for his bowling, but he’s just become the secondfastest Englishman to the double of 2,000 Test runs and 100 wickets. That is some record and deserves to be recognised. He bowled as well as I’ve ever seen him at Lord’s and I had the perfect view of his 10 wickets from behind the stumps. You have to go back 37 years to Ian Botham in India for the last time an England player took 10 wickets and made a half-century in the same Test. It was really special and we made sure we all signed a stump for Mo after the game because they are cherished souvenirs after a big performance.
KEEPING UP STANDARDS
I haven’t kept wicket very much this season so I was pleased with the way I caught the ball. You can feel a bit rusty after a spell without the gloves but it can also refresh you and I felt relaxed about my keeping. The less you worry about things the more you just do it naturally. Sometimes it’s the takes that are not obviously eye-catching that can be the most pleasing and I took as much satisfaction from catches standing up as the diving one off Jimmy Anderson. I’m trying to stay a bit lower down the leg side. Your foot movement and making sure your head gets across are crucial to taking chances like that.
IN THE WARS
Lord’s didn’t exactly start off perfectly for me. I had to hobble away from the nets the day before the game after I was struck on the left foot by the first ball I faced from a left-arm net bowler. Turned out his name was Arjun Tendulkar and he has a pretty famous dad! He looked a good bowler to me . . . but I did only face one ball from him. I also got hit on the other foot keeping in the first innings when one from Mark Wood kept low but at least that gave our new captain a laugh. So I’m a bit battered and bruised but it’s all part and parcel of the game.
TAKING MY CHANCE
I don’t know how I got that drive which went to Vernon Philander in the second innings so straight because the ball went down the slope and turned, but I was very pleased to see him put it down at long off! Then it was a question of making the most of my luck. By the time our innings finished, we were confident of winning because we knew 330 would be a really tough target to chase.
BREAKING INTO THE TOP 10
It’s amazing to see in the latest ICC rankings that I’m now in the top 10 Test batsmen in the world. Rewind a couple of years and people were saying x, y and z about my batting. It’s very pleasing but it doesn’t mean I’m satisfied. I know I can do a lot better. I’m not content. I want to move forward. And as I said to Joe before the game, I’m happy to bat wherever he wants me to. I want to contribute to the team and fulfil any role England want.
ON TO TRENT BRIDGE
Kagiso Rabada is suspended but South Africa have a very good replacement in Chris Morris. We won’t be expecting their bowling attack to be any less of a threat at Trent Bridge. It will be a different challenge in the second Test and we are aware the ball might swing in Nottingham, so it’s going to be exciting.