Oval and out, Alec

Q: And the best catch you've taken?

A: The one that got rid of Brian Lara during the 1995 Lord's Test against West Indies. It was off Goughy, low to my left in their second innings, and it was a match-winning catch because Lara had already made 50.

Q: In a word, how would you describe your England career?

A: Firstly, enjoyable. Also one I'm proud of. Look, if someone had said to me on the first morning of that Test in Jamaica in 1990 that I would go on to achieve what I have I would have told them they were mad. Then, if they were still offering, I'd have snatched their hand off.

Q: The finest individual performance you've seen against England?

A: It has to be Lara's 375 in Antigua in 1994. He just never looked like getting out.

Q: And the opponent you have most admired?

A: Steve Waugh. He wouldn't be the most naturally talented player in the world but if I needed someone to bat for my life - and I couldn't have me - then I'd go for S Waugh. He's a born fighter, never gives in and has made the very most of what he's got.

Q: The team-mate you've most admired?

A: Graham Gooch, no hesitation. His preparation and attention to detail was excellent, leaving nothing to chance. And his qualities as an opening batsman during my time were second to none. Graham has helped me a lot over the years and I've looked up to him more than anyone else I've played with or against.

Q: Is there one player, during your time, who should have played more for England?

A: Yes, my Surrey team-mate Martin Bicknell. He was very unlucky in getting injured early on. His tour to Australia in 1990 ought to have been the start of a long international career, but there were niggling fitness problems. Later on, Martin should have played in 1999 but they chose Ed Giddins instead. If Bickers had been picked then I reckon it would have been Gough, Caddick, Bicknell for quite some time.

Q: If you could have represented another country, which one?

A: No thanks. I'm England through and through and believe you should play for the country of your birth.

Q: What has changed most about the game - good and bad - during your England career? A: For good, the attention to detail and the emphasis on fitness. For bad? Something that hasn't changed - the fact that the England team is still not the be all and end all of our game.

Q: So can England achieve their aim of being the world's best by 2007?

A: It is achievable, but we've got to make sure that everything is in place to give us a fair chance. At the moment we are just touching on things like central contracts whereas we need to press ahead and do it properly. Then it will be up to the players to improve at the necessary rate.

Q Is there a single thing that could have been done to have improved the England team?

A: Changed Shane Warne's birthplace to somewhere in Britain.

Q: Could you be England coach one day?

A: Never say never but it's not something . . . Oh, let's just go for never say never.

Q: Are you really ready to retire now or do you feel under pressure to do so?

A: Definitely ready to retire. I've been very comfortable with the decision I reached earlier in the summer when I said this would be my last series. I knew I didn't want to tour this winter so that made it easy. It's got nothing to do with being 40.

Q: If you could change the outcome of one delivery during your England career, which would it be?

A: The last ball of any Ashes-deciding Test.

Q: With you as keeper-batsman, name your best England team from 1990 to 2003?

A: Off the top of my head, and with apologies if I've forgotten anyone obvious, I'd go: Gooch, Atherton, Vaughan, Thorpe, R Smith, Stewart, Cork, Giles, Caddick, Gough, Fraser. I didn't play much with the likes of Botham, Gower and Lamb so I can't really include them.

Q: Have you ever been late for a match?

A: I hope this isn't tempting fate but I've only been late for a game once. Because of a mix-up, I was left in The Oval car park without a lift to Chelmsford for a second XI match, 20-odd years ago. I had to get the train and arrived an hour after the start.

Q: What is the strangest conversation you've ever had on the cricket field?

A: Honestly, quite a lot of the time we talk absolute rubbish out there, about anything and everything. Maybe 70 per cent of the time when the cameras zoom in on us we'll be discussing tactics or some master plan but the other 30 per cent is nonsense. Most of it unrepeatable nonsense, I'm afraid.

Q: What is the most interesting sight you've seen away from the cricket field while on tour? A: We've been on a couple of safari trips and I've enjoyed those.

Q: Was hearing your name being linked with corruption in cricket in 2000 a moment so bad it still gives you nightmares?

A: I never had nightmares but it was a tough time because things had been taken out of my control. I knew it wasn't true but being linked with it was something you wouldn't wish on anyone.

Q: What single thing would you most like to achieve after The Oval Test?

A: To be successful in my new career. I'm pretty sure now which direction I'll be going in but I can't say yet, only that it will be away from cricket - to an extent.