The following is an extract from Test Match Cricket: C4 and the ECB's official guide to the 2nd Test between England and India at Trent Bridge, available at the ground throughout the match.

07.30 Breakfast. The team get up at different times – we’re all in single rooms – but we have breakfast together. Most of us have cereal and a read of the papers. I’m a Sun and Star man. I have a peek at the cricket, but I’m more interested in the Dear Deidre section or Bizarre column for something amusing in the morning.

08.30 We drive down to the ground in twos and threes. I generally get a lift, often with Ashley Giles. When we get there we chill out in the dressing room for a while.

09.00 We go out into the nets and do our own personal stuff, having a bat or a bowl. Then it’s a general team warm-up, with bowling and fielding drills. We have a game of football as well, as a warm-up.

10.15 Back in the dressing room for final preparations. No-one’s allowed in other than players and management – we can’t even take the papers in. There’s a TV but it’s not for fun – we use it to show video footage of the opposition.

On the first day, the mood is generally nervous. There’s a bit of banter, but everyone generally keeps to themselves. There’s more banter on the other days. I usually have a cup of tea and a bacon sarnie and then it’s toss time.

As an opening batter I’m particularly anxious because I could be out there straight away. Nasser doesn’t win many tosses so we usually have to do what we don’t want to do!

11.00 If we’re opening, Marcus always takes the first ball. We wish each other good luck and then get on with it. We don’t really talk about the pitch or conditions before the first ball has been bowled – but we do talk a lot once play’s started. We give each other a few hints if we think they’ll help but we’re not too intense about it: we have a laugh and try to relax each other and enjoy it.

13.00 Lunch. I don’t eat a lot if I’m still batting, but Tres has a really big dinner. Despite his reputation, Tres doesn’t ask for sausages – he’ll eat whatever’s put in front of him. We have a big choice of food. There aren’t any vegetarians in the team…

13.40 Even if you’re not out there fielding or batting it’s always intense throughout the five days of a Test match. Maybe it becomes slightly more relaxed after the first day because you know how the game’s panning out, and you know what you need to do. We have the cricket up on the TV in the dressing room, but with the sound turned off.

15.40 Tea. Usually people eat something lighter than at lunch; maybe sandwiches. Some have a fag break. There are a few smokers in the team, but I won’t say who. It’s not frowned on – a lot of world-class athletes smoke.

18.00 The dressing room gets more relaxed after play. Pizzas and toasted sandwiches are brought in, and Marcus is guaranteed to tuck in again. Sometimes there’s the odd glass of wine for relaxation, but no-one downs five pints of lager or anything. It’s a good idea to have a recovery shake to get all the goodness back in your body. The dressing room is still out of bounds to visitors.

19.00 We meet up with family and friends back at the hotel. After I’ve changed I might meet up with a couple of players for dinner. We’re basically free to do what we want.

22.00 By this time you’re pretty tired and it’s time for bed. Some stay up later but there are no hi-jinx. It’s a different matter though if we win a Test match – then we have to go out and celebrate! Whoever lives in that town decides where we go, and we could get back pretty late...

6 Aug, 2002