This week on Freshly Grounded, we have with us a one-man cricketing Swiss army knife.

He's respected by legends, loved by fans, and feared by batsmen who've seen how he bowls.

He's Birmingham born, World Cup winner, T20 championer, powerhouse batter, legendary bowler, trophy taker, England all-rounder. This is Maureen Ali. That's a lot. Mawin. Al-a-a-a-Qum-a-ka. Welcome to the pod. Good man, how are you? I appreciate your time. No worries. Bro, one year, basically, into international cricket retirement. How has it been?

It's been good, man. Hamda, it's been really good. It's kind of quick.

Just things are a bit slower, calmer, less happening. Even though there's still a lot

happening, there's less happening. So yeah, Hamda, it's all good.

How did you know it was the right time?

It wasn't the right time in terms of playing.

I still felt I could perform and do well.

It was more where the team was going.

And they were going like a younger generation

coming through really good players

and I just felt like it was my time to just actually let the guys not be in the way

almost let them guys play they need the time to rebuild the side a bit we were

struggling as well as a as a side and I yeah I just thought it's right time to go But I still felt I can still play. It was more like, okay, I think the team used to go a different direction. You've kind of like proven it in the franchisees and stuff there as well, like because along the book you've been performing. So I think like nobody doubted your or like from the exterior they felt like nobody can't doubt your

no no it's never I don't think it's a skill it's more

the only thing now is you don't train like I used to train

right so that motivation isn't quite there now obviously

when I used to play for England everything was about playing

for England doing well trying to stay in form for England

now that's gone so that's been the hardest bit actually

to keep motivated

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