So what is the real Slater like, on and off the field?
The real Slater is one who takes the attack to the fast bowlers. His character is to attack, to have a go at the bowlers. I believe that I can get them before they can get me. Off the field, Slater is a happy-go-lucky guy; if there is any avenue to enjoy life he'll take it. He loves to have fun; he strums the guitar, loves to read and is crazy about motor sports.

Isn't it ironic that despite being an attacking batsman, you don't seem to
make the one day side?
You bet! It plays on my mind that I don't play in the one-day internationals for Australia. But one has to come to terms with the fact that you are not playing. Everywhere you go, you are asked the same question and after a while, it gets to you. They don't understand, I don't understand it either. But I am closer to it now, closer to making the one day team than ever before. I want to do well in this series and then, after the Ashes, I want to really break back into the team in the right fashion.

We keep hearing of the "Aussie way" of doing things -- can you explain this
whole thing for us? Talk us through this team building, as you see it?
We play for the baggy green cap, we have immense passion for the baggy green. We are another bunch with that cap on our heads. That is the reason why we always have the baggy green on during the first innings of each Test. It's an emblem of pride, of passion for us to be playing for our country. It is something that so many Aussies back home would be dying for. The Aussie way is a way of life for us. It gets us together. We have an open and honest team structure, and it brings the team very close together. When we are away from home, this is our family, we are all like brothers, helping each other out.

You must be disappointed with your performance in the tour opener at Nagpur?
Yes, I was, but there is another game coming up and I know that at the end of the day I have to get runs. I think that my technique is good against spinners and I'm going to play attacking cricket, but with caution. If you look at my second innings at Nagpur, I was leaving balls outside the off-stump in a bid to bring some discipline into my batting. I want to go into the first Test having played 60-80 overs and feeling comfortable with the slow wicket. It takes a couple of innings to get a feel of the slow wickets here. But I have learnt that I need to play late, and need to play fine. Otherwise the same principles apply to batting as they would on any other wicket.

What is the key to succeeding in India?
This series is a great test for all of us, for every individual, to win in India where no Aussie team has won in the past three decades. It will be very important for Mathew Hayden and me to lay a solid foundation at the top. It will be equally important for us to get Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly quickly, otherwise they can stick in there and create trouble for us.

Will the absence of Kumble help the Aussie cause?
Anil was their main bowler, so it is obvious that it will be easy for our batsmen without him being around. But I am sure that there will be other good spinners coming in. And if someone is coming in Kumble's place then we will respect him. Anyway, don't forget that one player doesn't win a series. Last time Steve Waugh sat out a Test, but we won; Lee was injured and yet we won. It's a team game, remember!

What's with you and the nineties?
Can you imagine if I had converted those nine 'nervous nineties' into centuries, I would be sitting pretty with 23 Test hundreds in 60 Tests, and that is not bad at all? With fourteen Test tons my statistics look pretty good anyways. Six out of the nine times I was out in the nineties, I got out playing shots, nothing more about it. Only the other three times, I was nervous. In the last Test, at Sydney, I was on 96 when I hit over the ball. I am an emotional player; I just like to get to my hundreds with a four instead of pushing it around for singles, and sometimes I end up hitting the ball too hard. But the thrill of reaching a ton with a four is awesome.

Who are the toughest bowlers you've ever faced?
Wasim Akram is a bowler I respect and rank right up there. He is just too difficult to face, I remember the last time he was in Australia and he had me in all sorts of trouble. Shoaib Akhtar is amongst the quickest that I have faced. Srinath is another fast bowler I rate highly, but I don't know what form he is in right now. I would not like to compare, but (Brett) Lee has been consistently bowling quickly right through the season, he has been bowling faster than Shoaib.

What is your philosophy towards batting?
I am a very aggressive player and my philosophy towards batting is simple, I aim to get 4 off each delivery I face, if I can't get four then I want three, if not three I try for two, then one, and if I can't get runs at all is when I defend.

Who are the batsmen you idolise?
Viv Richards right at the top. Never took a backward step, always wanted to get on top of the bowlers and that is how it has got to be. You have got to have the upperhand on the bowlers at any expense.

Which innings do you rate as your best?
The Boxing Day Test match we had against the Indians in 1999-2000 season is certainly on top of that list. The ball was moving about all over the place and it was really tough, but I managed to get 91 and I really do rate that as my best innings.

Are you more comfortable against pace or spin?
Being an opener it is natural that I am more comfortable against pace, but if you come to India you have to be prepared to face a lot of spin. I feel it is a tough challenge but I am quick on my feet and as such, my game is suited to facing spin and I enjoy it.

What about the cricket structure in Australia?
It is a terrific country to stay in. Youngsters get recognized, and the system is in place to bring you through. I came up that way, and of course, once you get recognized you have to move to the city to play for the state sides, and so on.

How do you prepare for a knock in the middle?
Before I go onto the field I am very neutral. Very jovial, cracking a lot of jokes because all the preparation has been done the night before. That's the kind of person I am.

How does it feel having Geoff Marsh on the other side now? He has been your
coach and knows a lot about the players, their styles?
India is lucky to have these guys around to help them. John Wright has played a lot of good cricket against us and we respect him. Having Marsh of course is an added advantage but with the technology available, every team can plan exactly how to get a batsman out. And remember, knowing how to get someone out is one thing, doing it out there in the middle is something else.

Who according to you is a complete cricketer?
That's a tough question. In a way, every cricketer is unique and has his individual game. I guess a complete cricketer is someone who does everything possible for his team. Like for example Steve Waugh, he is not as fit as the other blokes but mentally he is very strong and gives his best every time he steps on to the field.

What is the secret formula that makes Aussies a winning side?
We try to win, all the time, and because we try to win, we give ourselves a chance to win. We have a hunger for victory. There is always competition for places in the side and you know if you underperform you will be replaced.

Do you see the Indians bowling you out twice in a Test?
Any team can bowl out ay other team out twice in a Test match. But if we play to our potential we will try and make it difficult. The same applies to the Indian team, if their top order gets going then it is difficult because they are good at home.

One last question -- as an opening batsman, who is your idol?
Being an opener, there is tremendous amount of pressure on you to get your team off to a good start. We live off pressure, we thrive on it and to handle the pressure you need to overcome it. To me, The West Indian pairing of Haynes and Greenidge is the all-time best. Greenidge was a very aggressive batsman, always looking to score, and he is the player who I feel I most resemble.

Australian player profiles

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