An interview with your Club Captain Neil Dexter (part 2 of 2

Well we promised you the second part of the interview around this time and here it is.... A mixture of cricket and other stuff. Thanks to Dexy for his time....

(Thought we'd be alittle bit festive for this thread with the red and green....)

27. What's your best and worst feature?
I shall leave it to your readers to decide upon that one, and shall resist the temptation to go down the route of saying; dashing good looks, debonair, ripped physique etc! 
 
28. Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset. 
 
29. Sun or snow?
I’ve never been in the snow, so can’t answer that one. I’ve managed to escape the few snow storms that we’ve had over here for the past few years.  (Editors note.. Yep this interview was pre snow!)
 
30. What do you really think about wearing pink?
I love it, and think it’s for a brilliant cause. The support that the Club and its members and supporters have given to our charity partnership with Breakthrough Breast Cancer has been outstanding and long may it continue. 
 
31. When you're not playing cricket, do you like to watch it?
Ummm, I don’t mind watching bits and pieces, but I find it difficult to sit down and watch a full game, as all I want to do is get out there and play! 
 
32. What's nicer to receive, a handwritten letter, or an email?
An email, as it’s a lot easier to delete an email, rather than have to throw away a piece of paper. Just kidding, I think a hand written letter means a lot more, as it’s more personal. 
 
33. When you win the toss, who decides what to call? Just you, or you and others... And if you call different to the others who decides the call?
Ultimately, the Captain has to be responsible for the decisions that are made, although something like ‘what will we if we win the toss?’ would always be a decision that I would speak with our head coach, Richard Scott and to Angus Fraser, our MD of Cricket about, as the experience they have of playing conditions at different ground is invaluable in deciding what to do. We’d take a look at the track before the game, and discuss the merits of batting or bowling, before a decision is reached. In truth, with the collective knowledge and experience we have, it’s pretty rare that our choices differ on the matter anyway. 
  
34. As captain for next season will you have a say on who is released and brought in?
Throughout the winter months, I am in regular contact with Angus Fraser, and am always kept in the loop and consulted on any changes relating to the playing staff. At the end of the day, I am the one who has to go out there and lead them on the field, and it is my remit to make the side perform as a unit out in the middle, so it goes without saying that I am consulted on these matters. 
 
35. Is there anyone in the cricket world you would like to see at the club, even if it would be impossible for whatever reason!
There are always players out there that you would love to have in your side, but reality kicks in and it’s not always possible. Although in a dream world, I think it’s fair to say that if I was leading out a side with Sachin Tendulkar in the batting ranks and Muttiah Murilitharan in the bowling line up, then I’d be quite content!  
  
36. Who is your cricket hero?
I don’t as such have any cricket heroes, although there are plenty of players I admire for what they have achieved in the game. You only have to take a look at Middlesex for example, and you can look through the record books and there is an array of names that were clearly brilliant in their day and shone as exceptional talents. In the early days, you had the Walker and Hearne families, your Webbe’s, Stoddart’s and Trott’s of the world. More recently you’ve had the Compton’s, Edrich’s, Hendren’s, Gatting’s and Brearley’s to name but very few, who have become heroes in their own way and have moulded the Club to be what it is today. For me, in a game where players are judged by their statistics, the great players, or heroes, clearly stand out just by taking a look at the record books. 
 
37. And general hero if different to your cricketing hero?
I would have to say Tim Murtagh – what a real man! 
 
38. What does your tattoo say?
It says “Brothers in Arms” and it is written Arabic – well, at least that’s what the tattooist told me it said, and no one has told me otherwise since! 
 
39. Water or gel in your hair?
Wax, but maybe I should stop using it, as I’m losing too much. 
 
40. Favourite fancy dress?
Not really into fancy dress, although if I were, I guess being at the rear end of a pantomime horse, with Fiona Bruce at the front wouldn’t be too bad a shout, given that she won the ‘Rear of the Year’ award this year. 
 
41. Driver or passenger?
Definitely the driver, as I’m a terrible passenger. 
 
42. When you walk out onto the pitch, either batting or fielding, do you always try to win, or just think, I can't be bothered?
Definitely to win! I’ve never had that ‘can’t be bothered’ feeling. I would suspect that when that happens, it may be time to give up! 
 
43. Do you think the supporters are mad to take time off to follow the Middle around the country, or is it nice to see friendly faces in the crowd?                                Everyone in the team always talks about how good our supporters are that follow us around the country and they definitely do not go unnoticed, so it’s always good to see the faithful followers of the Club! 
 
44. What's your favourite cricket ground you've played on?
I don’t think I need to answer that one, as you should know the answer! 
 
45. Have you got any hobbies?
Yes, quite a few really.......I have recently joined Tim Murtagh at a weekly needlework class, which we’re thoroughly enjoying every Monday night. Scott Newman and I have just started flower arranging on Tuesday night’s. Wednesday’s I’m busy at cake decorating classes with Dawid Malan. On Thursday’s I go train spotting with Gareth Berg and on Friday’s I’ve been doing ballet classes with Angus Fraser. Seriously – no not really! 
 
46. Any pre match routines?
No not really anything that stands out as exceptionally odd. 
 
47. What's in your water bottle?
It was Viper, a recovery energy drink, but I was told by our strength and conditioning coach, Luke, AKA ‘Jarhead’, Woodhouse, that my skin folds were getting too high, so I quickly changed back to water. 
 
48. Having played all day, what do you do to switch off?
It’s very hard to switch off after a day’s play, and contrary to what people may believe, t20 is actually the hardest, as you finish so late, and because of the high intensity that you play the game at. As many t20 matches finish so late, and because of the intensity/adrenaline rush you experience, the only thing you can really do after a game is chill out and watch telly until you’re feeling tired, which is often not until about 3am. 
 
49. What will you do when you retire?
Who knows? 
 
50. Have your questions been OK?                                                                                   They have been good and I hope I have answered them to your liking.