Extra-Time: Ian Salisbury (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Extra-Time: Ian Salisbury

1:30pm Friday 26th November 2010 in Surrey CCC By Stuart Amos

Former England Test cricketer and Surrey leg-spinner Ian Salisbury shares 60 seconds with the Surrey Comet.

What would you have been if you hadn’t been a professional cricketer?:

I would have probably tried to make it as a footballer. I played county level in Northamptonshire - which doesn’t say much - through all the age groups up to 14-years-old, but once I started playing cricket it became my passion and that was it.

You can’t have had much time for school?:

My school told me I should concentrate on my education because I’d never make it as a cricketer, which I thought was a bit harsh. I walked out halfway through my A levels, so then had to prove myself. We didn’t part on good terms shall we say, but they were pretty quick to claim me as their own when I made my Test debut.

What did you do during breaks for rain or when you were touring as a player?:

When I was playing I’d try and switch off completely from the game. Do a crosswords, read books, chat to mates, anything to take your mind off the game.

I bet you’re jealous of the modern players with their laptops, iPods and mobile phones, then?:

If we wanted anything like that we’d have to carry it around in a suitcase on a trolley, they were that big back then. We didn’t really have anything like that. We had to use our imagination a bit more. Cricketers can become a bit cocooned. I like to know what’s going on in the world around you, so I read a lot.

What do you listen to on your iPod?:

I don’t own one, but if I did I’d be listening to the Jeff Buckley album, Grace. He only made one and it is amazing. ‘Slit your wrists music’, but I love it.

What was the last thing you Sky Plussed?:

The Accused, because my wife wanted to watch I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. Now you can see why I listen to the sort of music I do.

How would you describe yourself on a dating website?:

Ater 17 years of marriage that is a tough question. Other than ‘devilishly handsome’, I’d probably say ‘better in real life’.

If you were on Strictly Come Dancing, which dance would suit you best?:

We had a Strictly Come Dancing night in my benefit year and I did the Tango with former Strictly dancer Nicole Cutler (ex-Surrey man Jon Batty’s wife) for two and a half minutes in front of 250 people. I sh*t myself, but now I know I can do it, I’d pick that one.

Who would win a dance off between you and Mark Ramprakash?:

Even though he has just had a knee op, he probably would - but I’d win the looks and charm category.