My Saturday

Cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan on golf, gin and early nights

6.45am I get up early as

I play golf. I let the dogs out – we’ve got Roly, a cockapoo, who’s 12, and Betty, seven, a shihtzu. Then I’ll make myself some breakfast – poached eggs or avocado on toast. 7.30am I’m on the first tee at Wilmslow Golf Club and will be there for about three and a half hours. I always use Callaway Golf clubs. I’d wear a Charles Tyrwhitt polo shirt and trousers and occasionally waterproofs, depending on the weather. My handicap is six. 11.30am I’ll stay at the club for lunch and catch up with friends. I’ll have something like ham, eggs and chips or a burger. 1pm I go home and will work up a sweat for half an hour or so on my Peloton bike. 2pm The afternoons are spent watching sport in some form, whether it’s the kids [Tallula, 17, Archie, 15, and Jemima, 11] or with friends. My lad plays cricket for the local team in Alderley Edge, so I’ll go and watch him. He doesn’t feel any pressure because of me. My youngest dances and does a lot of ballet. My eldest plays hockey for Wilmslow and I sometimes go and watch her play, too. I don’t miss playing; I love the commentary work. It’s great just to be able to rock up and talk about cricket. I’ve got the Test matches against India and then the Ashes coming up. It’s meant to be in Australia [in December], but we will have to wait and see. 6pm If the weather’s nice we’ll probably have a barbie and a few friends around.

I do the outdoor cooking – we’ve got a pizza oven and a barbecue. My wife [Nichola] does the indoor stuff. She’s into healthy food whereas mine is just a meat feast, pizza or steaks. 8pm We like Saturday-night telly.

I’ll be watching Strictly again this year. [Michael took part in 2012 with dancer Natalie Lowe.] I know Dan Walker and Ugo Monye – it’s a good crowd they’ve got. We might go to a local restaurant or bistro. I often start the night with a gin and tonic. I’ve got my own, Declaration Gin. The botanicals are from the three prominent cricketing countries I’ve enjoyed the most – ginger from Australia, Darjeeling tea from India and liquorice from Yorkshire. Or I might have an oaky chardonnay. 11pm If I’m out, I don’t like being late home. Those days are gone. I always get up early, so I like a good eight hours’ sleep.