They're playing my song

Martin Philbey / © Getty Images

What did you bowl when you played cricket as a kid?
Legspin. Big turn, poor control. Nothing's changed with the years. If I played top-level cricket, Australia would be in terrible trouble.

Where were you when you heard Don Bradman had died?
I was driving in Melbourne and had just turned the radio on to the youth network station triple j. They were playing my song "Bradman", which was nothing like their normal playlist. "Oh, he must have died," I thought, and sure enough I was right.

What's the best game, spell or session of cricket you've watched live?
Watching Shane Warne take his 700th wicket at the MCG was a big highlight. Also, if I'm allowed two, I remember as a boy watching Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson make 244 all day against England at the Adelaide Oval. I'm not sure of the year but perhaps '64-65. I went home with a very satisfied feeling, but not, I'm sure, as satisfied as Bill and Bob that day.

What's your earliest cricket memory?
In the backyard with my brother John. I was angry with him - perhaps over a disputed caught behind. Above the line or below the line on the back fence? I threw a proper cricket ball at him from close range. Luckily for us both, I missed.

Who would captain your all-time XI?
Richie Benaud, that adventurous, wry gentleman.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.