It's a hard life as a professional cricketer. It's not as easy as everyone makes out. To survive you need a tough hide.

I suppose, because I am a sportsman and travel all over Australia, I see every day Australians doing small and large and often unnoticed deeds; many times I thought how nice it would be for them to be recognised, so I hope somehow that in receiving this honour that I represent these people.

It doesn't matter how pretty you look it's how many runs you get.

He's the type of bloke you would want to have on your side. When you see an Indian side with Ganguly in the line-up, you know it's game on. You don't have to like or dislike him. You have to respect him.

I keep a lucky red rag in my pocket when I bat, which has been a good luck charm for a few years.

I'd like to try to inspire the youth, that's obviously where our future is and the kids are the ones you can mould and you can give them ideas and opportunities and I'd like to try to inspire all the young kids because I had a dream when I was young, that was to play for Australia.

The minute you hesitate you are in trouble.