Alastair Cook

I love cricket but I like being away from it as well. ”

I love the individual sport stuff but the experiences I've had with some great people over 12 or 15 years are what makes is special. That individual thing: me versus the bowler is great but you get that team feeling as well and that's why it suits me so well. ”

I'm a country boy at heart. I love it when you've got your boots on and you're standing in three inches of cow muck. ”

The battle between bat and ball is a one-on-one thing. I love that stuff, but you play it in a team. ”

The captaincy thing is brilliant, and I love it. But I didn't start off playing cricket to captain England. I wanted to score runs and stuff. ”

It's surreal to think that no one has played as many Test matches for England. I suppose it's a credit to my longevity. ”

Jonathan Agnew is a good person to learn off because he's a brilliant broadcaster and the calmness and clarity with which he does things is a real skill. ”

When I watch Twenty20 cricket, there's a different satisfaction. That hundred you get in six hours is a very satisfying feeling. A real triumph of skill. I don't quite see that in the 20-over game - or the 100-ball game. ”

You're always under pressure, that's what life is about. That is what playing international cricket or being a professional sportsman is. ”

Am I happiest on the farm or out in the middle? I am a cricketer, but the farm is a very special place and I absolutely love being in the countryside and getting away from the bubble. I like to think I'm a farmer, but there's so much experience that goes into that. ”