Q1. How were you first introduced to cricket, and what about the game got you hooked?

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Phil Jaques: I was introduced to cricket at school as some of my friends were playing. I got hooked on it by the challenge that it brings every game you play. Every game is different.

Q2. How satisfying was this year's Pura Cup win? How important to you is your state team doing well?

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Phil: It was very satisfying as we were written off by several members of the press and almost everyone really. NSW doing well is very important to me.

Q3. Who has been the greatest influence on your cricket career?

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Phil: That's a tough question! Probably all of my club mates at Sutherland -  they have all had such an influence on my career and gave me opportunities. Also Mike Hussey was a good help when I played at Northamptonshire.

Q4. Who are your favourite cricketers of all time, and which cricketer do you think influenced your own style the most?

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Phil: Steve Waugh is my favourite player. He is such a fighter. Adam Gilchrist has probably influenced me the most. He is a very exciting player

Q5. What advice would you give to youngsters to encourage them to take up cricket?

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Phil: Don't get too far ahead of yourselves. Think about the next ball and play it on its merits

Q6. What do you think you could do to prove to the Australia selectors that you are capable of the jump up to test level?

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Phil: Scoring runs is what I do so to get picked I need to score more runs and prove I'm better than the guys ahead of me.

Q7.How important do you think training and participating in matches overseas is?

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Phil: I think it is very important to every cricketers development as by playing overseas you will learn how to play on different surfaces.

Q8. What other countries have you played in and what have you learnt from the experience?

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Phil: I've played in England and New Zealand. Both provided good experiences, but for different reasons. In England I learned how to play late and build an innings whereas in New Zealand I learned how to play on slower lower wickets

Q9. Who do you think is the most under-rated player in Australia at the moment?

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Phil: Brad Hodge. I think he is class

Q10.Are there any young players around that you are aware of that could be knocking on the door for Test selection in the future?

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Phil: I would keep an eye on Jason Krejza and Moses Henriques in the next 5 years

Q11.Who do you think the best players are that are currently outside the test team?

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Phil: The best players currently outside the test team have to be Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey and Stuart Macgill

Q12. What hobbies/sports do you get up to when not playing or training for cricket?

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Phil: I enjoy playing golf and going to the movies

Q13. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

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Phil: Its The Pro. That's due to my stints in England. The NSW boys think it is funny

Q14. What would you say your cricketing highlight has been in your career so far?

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Phil: The highlight has to have been my two double hundreds this year and the Pura Cup win

Q15. Who do you think will be the key players in this summer's ashes and what do you expect the scoreline to be at the end of the series?

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Phil: The key players will be Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn. I think the final score will be 3-1 to Australia

Q16. Where do you see yourself playing in say, 5 years time?

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Phil: Hopefully I've made the transition to the Australian team if not then I'll still be at NSW.

Q17. When you retire as a player what career path are you likely to take - coaching,administration, media or something outside of cricket?

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Phil: I think coaching is for me or maybe marketing in cricket

Q18. Your form in England is exemplary during the county season, but until this year you had not performed quite as well for New South Wales. What was the hardest thing about the transition?

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Phil: It was only my 2nd full season for NSW so opportunities have been limited but I get it was knowing I was going to play all the time in England. When you feel comfortable you can relax and play better

Q19. Do you feel there's a large gulf between the quality of first class cricket in England and Australia?

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Phil: I think the main difference is the intensity that Australians play with due to playing less games and also there are less teams so the standard is a little better in Australia.

Q20. What would you say is the major reason for Australian cricketers performing so well in English County Cricket?

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Phil: I would say that the guys that tend to get county contract are the better players in Australia and work hard at their game.

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Once again. Many thanks to Phil for kindly participating in our questionnaire and answering the questions that were posed. I hope you enjoyed the discussion as much as I did.