Preface
In January 2007 I retired from the Australian Test team feeling happy because I knew nothing could be better than bowing out after regaining the Ashes from England in a 5–0 whitewash. There was an incredible sense of emotion and elation as I walked around the Sydney Cricket Ground with my team-mates, holding hands with my children, James and Holly. I didn’t feel the slightest sense of sadness about retiring. I knew I’d reached the end; my body told me that. And even more importantly, I’d realised that those special moments I was missing in the life and times of my family were too great ... the moments had become weeks at a time, and I didn’t like it.
Before working on Line and Strength, I hadn’t sat back and thought too much about my journey – from bowling at an old 44-gallon drum when there were doubts about my ability, to fulfilling my dream of opening the attack for Australia. Now I’ve gone through that process, I feel humbled – and I feel blessed. I have benefited greatly from the goodwill and generosity of so many people that I could never begin to thank them all in this preface. What I will say is that their examples and thoughtfulness made an impact on me, and I have attempted to display the same level of kindness to young fast bowlers looking to me for help and guidance.
Having a book written about my life has been strange because I have never seen myself as anything more than an ordinary person. It is a bit daunting to realise my innermost thoughts are there for others to read. I have been honest and I have addressed a few matters I would really rather forget.
My life’s greatest reward has been my marriage to Jane and having our children. I dedicate all I have achieved to her, and I want Jane to know the love, strength and pride I have drawn from having her as my soul mate. To James and Holly – you gave me an extra motivation and reason to push on during those days it would have been all too easy just to give up. My mum, dad, sister Donna and little brother Dale were often in my thoughts during this project, and it is my hope they realise how special they are to me.
I offer a big thanks to those people who cheered me through thick and thin, and I hope you realise I never took your support for granted. It was generous of you and I valued it.
I write this message from Delhi, India, where I am playing in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition – and it is amazing. Had anyone told me 16 months ago that I’d be playing in India, I’d have laughed and called them crazy. It simply proves that life truly is a surprise packet and that we have to make the most of it. If anyone is to take anything away from this book, I hope it is that they make the most of their opportunities and never, ever listen to those people who say they can’t do something.