A Any tour to India I've enjoyed more than most. I love the place, I love the people and I love the food.
Q What about wine? You love your plonk too. If you're sitting down to dinner what New Zealand drop would fill your glass?
A I can't pinpoint one. For my mind New Zealand tends to do a very good pinot noir and pinot gris. I don't care for the sauvignon blanc as much, but that might just be personal taste. The Dunleavy brothers, I like what they make [on Waiheke Island] but my favourite area is Central Otago where I enjoy Quartz Reef and Felton Road. Unfortunately New Zealand vineyards are generally small and there's not enough of it.
Q If you're armed with a favourite bottle, which restaurant in London are you choosing to drink it?
A In London we're so lucky. I think we eat better than anywhere else in the world. Novikov in Berkeley St do great Russian; I had a sensational evening there recently, but it was awfully different. In Norfolk there's Morston Hall and they've always done lovely food at the Connaught Hotel.
Q And for dessert ... TMS chocolate cake or Eton mess?
A Oh, that's a tough one, both are very good.
Q I hear you're performing a two-man stage show with former TMS producer Peter Baxter at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in between Ashes tests?
A Yes, we reflect on our memories down through the years. We're doing 19 nights in Edinburgh then taking it to the far East for four shows in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong before heading to Australia for the return Ashes series.
Q Will you be coming to New Zealand?
A Yes, I'm there in January.
Q Have you caught up with your commentary partner Mystery Morrison recently from those vintage late-1980s broadcasts?
A No, not for quite a while but I'm hoping to when I visit.
Q What about your beloved seagulls?
A [Cue further chuckles] Yes. I'm sure they're still flocking to the Basin.
