When you grow up as a boy dreaming of playing international cricket, and representing your country overseas, you wouldn’t go far from the week we’ve just had.
Last time I wrote, we’d just arrived at the airport in Grenada, and were all on a high after that brilliant second Test win. Since then we’ve had the best part of a week in Barbados, during which I’ve had a cooking session on the beach with my near namesake Levi Roots – I know we look similar, but we’re not related.
Now we get to play a Test at the famous Kensington Oval in Barbados, where the stands are going to be packed with a lot of British support – including my mum, dad and grandad. I’ve had to pinch myself at times.
I don’t want to give you the wrong idea – we’ve worked hard, too. After all the hard work of the winter and the joy of winning in Grenada, we’re desperate to finish it off with a series win. We’ve had a couple of good days’ preparation down at the ground, which is superb. But times like this don’t come around very often, and you’ve got to savour them when you have the opportunity.
The cooking session was arranged by Waitrose and the ECB. Levi’s roots are in Jamaica and he made his name on Dragons Den with his Reggae Reggae sauces, and it was fascinating hearing his story – he’s a really cool bloke. He loves his food, and his music, and even whacked a few balls into the sea when we had a game of beach cricket.
Most importantly he’s given me three more go-to recipes to take home with me. Eat your heart out Gary Ballance. I’m not sure Gaz has got beyond steak, egg and chips, which was the only thing he offered when we lived together as young lads on the Yorkshire staff – and even then he didn’t offer it very often. That’s another thing that has made this trip so special, and a bit surreal. A few years ago we were sharing a place in Idle, near Bradford, and popping out for the odd pint at the New Inn next door. Now we’re batting together for England in the West Indies.
Another highlight of the week was meeting some youngsters from the Sport for Life charity out here after training at the ground on Wednesday. We had a great time with them, and we’ve had kids buzzing around all week actually because the families are out with us now. Ben Stokes’ little lad came into the dressing room after we’d won in Grenada, getting everyone to bowl at him. Early days but he’s got a good eye – watch out for him in 15 or 20 years’ time.
Today it gets serious. By the time you read this we’ll be preparing for the start of another crucial Test match. We were due to leave the hotel for the ground at about eight in the morning. Some of the lads will be up early, having a nice leisurely breakfast – especially the ones with young families. But I like my sleep. Set the alarm for quarter to, roll out of bed, end up in a massive rush and grab something to eat at the ground. A proper professional.
Then it’s up to each individual how they want to prepare. Physio, strapping, a few of the lads will go out the back for a net or some throwdowns, so the work’s done before we meet as a team in the dressing room an hour or 45 minutes before the start. Then Cooky heads out for the toss, and it’s on again. Five days that will hopefully end with us celebrating a series win. That would be the perfect end to a fantastic tour.