Bowled over by Chaat Masala

Interestingly,whenever I travel in India,I get more questions about cooking than about cricket! (During India tours),I used to go down to the kitchen and talk to the staff and,before you knew it,we would be cooking together. That was a wonderful way to relax and take a break from cricket. As for gardening,that was a way of life,but something that I had actually left behind for the better part of the last 20 years. So,to be able to reconnect with it was outstanding. It hasn’t been all about cricket for the last 20 years.

How did you get interested in gardening?

I grew up on a beautiful farm,with extensive variety of vegetables,all of which I’d tend to when I was six. By the time I was in my teens,I was managing the plot.

What is it about gardening that appeals to you the most?

It is therapeutic. I actually supply fresh fruits and vegetables to my family from my garden and enjoy teaching my children that food comes from a certain plant,animal or a tree. It’s the simple things in life that I really admire and enjoy,and these are all the things that I explore in this series on TLC.

Do you cook? What kind of cuisine are you really fond of?

On the show,I cook chicken curry and also do a really simple cut/diced vegetable dish with chaat masala on it. I love cucumber,tomato and chaat masala. Oh,I love that! My wife’s favourite food is Indian,so I’ve become quite a gourmand of healthy tasty Indian food! I cook with a lot of curd and spices. I really enjoy spicy food and we have natural healthy products that I grow in my backyard. I grow galangal,ginger,turmeric,curry leaves and even kaffir lime leaves.

Will you take up more behind-the-scene roles in cricket now?

I’ve been on the board of directors of Cricket Australia and for me,last two years have been an opportunity to expand and grow. It is also a way to invest in a platform for cricket. I’m playing the Big Bash League for my team,Brisbane Heat. So,for me,this is also a little bit like the Indian Premier League (IPL).