Reflections on the summer

It has been an incredible few months.

It has rejuvenated youngsters’ interest in the game and captured the imagination of the rest of the public, too.

It has created a few heroes. It has made sure that the game that I love so dearly has been placed on the front pages, middle pages and back pages of the newspapers, like in 2005.

A lot of hard work and some brave decisions were made to reach this point. They have proved to be a resounding success.

The World Cup final was brilliant. Being there and calling the game was just one of the great days.

Then watching the Test side come up against Australia was a fun watch. A draw was a fair-ish reflection on the series considering that only two or three players performed well on either team.

But the main thing from England's perspective was that you could see the passion in the spectators. Cricket has been spoken about and celebrated.

The opportunity is there to take advantage

England have now got a chance to really make a big play at The Hundred.

The foundation has been set. With English cricket being so positively talked about at the moment, they have the chance to make it a success.

They’ve got to get the right personnel involved. Get the right overseas players, because the overseas players certainly make the tournament.

The commentary boxes need to be right. The Big Bash commentary boxes are right there – they create the theatre and add to the entertainment package.

They've got to tick every single box to make sure that the entertainment package presented to the public is worth watching.

It’s an uncertain future for England’s Test team

I saw Michael Vaughan said that James Anderson and Stuart Broad can’t play together for England anymore because they should be planning for the next Ashes series.

I disagree.

Just pick the best team available at the time. If Broad and Anderson fit into that team then great.

You pick a team to win, you don't pick a team to go out to New Zealand and South Africa and lose.

All England fans want to see their team winning.

I don't care what happens in two-and-a-half years’ time. You can lay the foundations by having youngsters in the environment where Broad and Anderson operate.

You can pick up a lot from watching these guys, and if there's an injury you get the opportunity.

You don't just pick youngsters because: “Hey, you might play in the next Ashes.”

That's nonsense.

There is a big batting issue in the England team.

It's going to be trial and error over the winter and it’s going to be hard for Joe Root, because he's captain of a team with several gaps that can be exploited.

South Africa in South Africa are difficult opposition. New Zealand away will be difficult, so it's going to be a very tough winter.

I think English cricket needs to spend a little bit more time making sure that they lead the way in their talk and the way that they conduct themselves in the longer form of the game.

I don't know if I'm an old-timer, but Test cricket is still the greatest form of the game in my opinion.

As stalwarts of world cricket, they’ve got to protect that.

BMW Pro-Am and Alfred Dunhill

I’m very lucky to be out on the golf course playing in the BMW Pro-Am on Wednesday and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship next week.

These events allow you to engage with people in a relaxing manner. You can have some fun times.

I’m a member at Wentworth and I've played the Pro-Am for a number of years now.

These are pinch-yourself moments – it’s like a supporter coming out to bat at Lord's.

It’s that kind of buzz that I get from playing with a guy like Ernie Els, who I’m playing with on Wednesday.

Ernie is a good buddy of mine. We live very close by each other, so whenever he's in town we hang out. I love what a good person he is. For everything that he's achieved in the game, he is inspiring.

Hanging out with him and watching him play the shots is great. I watch his swing, the way he hits the ball.

I still look at myself and think: “Jeez, I'm a kid from Pietermaritzburg and I'm playing in these tournaments.” I’m so lucky.

Playing golf takes me back to Test match cricket

I absolutely love golf because it takes me back to Test match cricket in the way that I practise and train.

I'll go and practise everything like I'm practising for a Test match. I'll spend hours and hours on the range trying to perfect a swing, perfect a shot, work on different wedges and play with different putters, because that's what I used to do for cricket.

I’m in the same mental space on a golf course. That's why I love the game so much.

The skills translate hugely.

Visit Betway's cricket betting page.