We are a high-performance environment and guys being professional about how they prepare for games is not something that should be frowned upon. It should be expected of players.
It's always frustrated me when I've seen other players able to smack balls over the bowler's head and stuff like that. I can't, though. When I've tried I've let myself down.
Cricket is 90-95 per cent mental. To score runs, you've got to feel good about yourself.
I learnt that as soon as you have a negative thought, just push it to the back of your mind. The question is, when it's you versus 11 others; can you be positive under pressure? That's what defines winners.
I loved captaining and trying to win games - but I wasn't enjoying batting any more.
I've known Nick Compton a long time. He's a fully-formed cricketer and he's scored lots of runs.
My biggest concern is that Test cricket and Twenty20 cricket are competing too much. They should be complementing each other and the more they clash the more damaging it will be for cricket.
We have to find a way to get the two forms of the game co-existing - and that involves administrators sitting down and banging their heads together and working out a framework. I understand the politics but I'm more interested in what's best for the game.
This perception that a good captain is someone who beats his chest and roars like a lion and gives big Churchillian speeches, that's just not what leadership is about for me.
You can rule by fear but it's not a great motivation for people.
People much prefer to feel part of something and that they're appreciated and wanted, that their voice actually holds some sway, rather than just having someone barking orders at them.
Some really good players are coming out of county cricket. Better preparation, and looking after yourself physically are things that counties should still have to strive for. Also, the volume of county cricket is still far too high. I'd definitely like less county cricket.
Peter Moores has been very popular in the England dressing room. He's got a very good record of developing players but I felt that in some areas of international cricket he is a little bit exposed, around tactics and strategy.
I think there will be one overarching coach for Tests and one-day cricket. I think you need one person in control and in charge of that environment. Also it's important for people to know I am not going to be playing a tracksuited role. The execution of strategy is over to the captain and coach as it always has been.
