A desire to attack

Three triple-century partnerships with Graeme Smith - batting with him must be fun?
Actually it is very similar to batting with Gary Kirsten. We keep things simple. Graeme and I are both aggressive players, and we like to try and dominate attacks. It really is enjoyable batting with him.

What do you talk about in the middle?
Not much, actually. We just keep each other ticking over, maybe he notices something in my technique or I do in his and we share the info. Again it's about keeping things simple in the middle.

Before Graeme you combined well with Gary Kirsten. How different are they?
I think they are pretty similar actually. Both are aggressive players. Graeme is perhaps physically more imposing, but both are just great to bat with.

And do you need to modify your batting when you're in with them?
Not at all.

Your Test average has consistently improved right from your debut season [1996-97]. How has your approach changed in that time?
I think through the years the experience I have gained has helped me define my role, and refine my technique according to what form of the game I am playing. I have also learnt to adapt to different conditions a little quicker. My physical condition has changed since I started, I am a lot stronger now. Having said all that I believe that the one thing that I have learnt that has helped me has been patience.

What type of bat do you use - and have you used the same ones throughout your career?
My bats now are a lot heavier than the ones I started with. They also have much thicker edges and a "bow" to them. Although they are heavy, they still pick up very light as the weight is very well distributed. I have yet to find a better bat than the ones Gunn & Moore have made for me over the last eight years.

You started off as something of an errant teenager, and you're now an adventurous adult. Does your past still pop up occasionally?
I would like to think that I have matured a lot since my career began. Well, I hope I have, I'm now 30! I am enjoying life now more than ever, but I do still have a boyish streak in me and I hope I never lose it.

Do you think your past has deterred the authorities from giving you the vice-captaincy, or even leading the team?
No, not at all. I have never been captaincy or vice-captaincy material, too much thinking involved there.

Are you ready to lead the team if the opportunity arrives in the near future?
Definitely not.

Your carefree attitiude is displayed in your aggressive shotmaking. While you're out in the middle do you think about the risks you take?
In one-day cricket the risks I take are more calculated, but I play a lot by instinct. I think it's best just to play the situation as it arises.

The modern-day batsman is becoming more innovative as he needs to score runs at a faster pace. A typical Herschelle Gibbs risk-taking shot is the sweep to fine leg off a fast bowler. How much do you practise to play that kind of shot in a match?
I have not practised that shot for years. It was taught to me by [former West Indies opener] Desmond Haynes when he was at Western Province. It's useful on slow, low pitches.

Are there any other similar unorthodox strokes you are working on?
Not at the moment.

Who are the people you talk to about your batting back home?
I don't really have anyone, but if I really want to I speak with Peter Kirsten, my coach at Western Province.

As an opener you need to provide momentum to the innings, an important responsibility. How do you tackle that?
Every position in the order has responsibilities - as an opener it's important to lay a sound foundation as well as try and set the pace for the innings. I don't think the responsibility stops us openers from playing our natural game - which, in my case, is attacking.

You have been getting out quite a bit to the ball pitched on or outside off stump. Why's that?
Sometimes my footwork is a little lazy, and I get caught out outside off stump.

Do you sit in front of the laptop going over scorecards, grounds and bowlers' analyses or do you just like to go out and bat?
I'm definitely not a laptop man.

You have a big appetite for runs and have scored some big centuries. What have been your favourite innings?
In one-dayers, my World Cup hundreds: 104 against Australia in the Super Sixes at Headingley in 1999, and the 142 versus New Zealand at the Wanderers last year. Although we lost both games, they were still very enjoyable knocks. In Test cricket it would be the 228 I got against Pakistan at Newlands in January 2003. Graeme and I put on over 300 in that match, and to play such a big knock at my favourite - and home - ground was special. Then there is the 107 I enjoyed making against the Australians at Kingsmead a couple of years ago, where we went on to win the Test.

Gary Kirsten defined batting, bloody-mindedly staying at the crease no matter what the situation. Can you describe yourself in batting terms?
I have a desire to keep the board ticking over at a healthy rate, and I think I am at my best when I am striking the ball in an attacking mode.

Which batsmen have you always admired, and why?
Two very contrasting batsmen. Peter Kirsten - a small man, like me, he had wonderful touch and feel, great hands and timing. He could shred an attack and the bowlers would not even notice. And Viv Richards - a big man. He had such power and could dominate with sheer physical force. He was the ultimate destroyer. At his best he gave bowlers almost no options.

Once players have established themselves they tend to set short-term goals - have you done that?
Firstly I would like to think I have a good six or seven years at the top left in me. Now that I have settled my game, I would like to be consistent and continue to strive to fulfil my potential completely.