FIVE FIRSTS FOR CHRIS READ

Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read has been a constant presence behind the stumps for the county for the past 15 years, taking 863 first class catches and 47 stampings. Those numbers have cemented his reputation as one of the finest wicket keepers in the English game, and the player with the most catches in Nottinghamshire's history.

ESPN Cricinfo conducted a brief interview with Read, taking the Outlaw back to his earliest forays into the game.

First pair of wicketkeeping gloves...

I was 11 and they were a pair of Duncan Fearnley ones. I had always been a batter who bowled a bit when I played through the age groups in Devon. I spent three years in the Under-11s and in the last year I thought I would be captain. That way I could bowl whenever I wanted to because I hadn't been getting much of a chance. It didn't go to plan because the manager made someone else captain, so I decided to go and keep.

First idol...

My batting hero was a guy I ended up playing a lot with: Graham Thorpe. I admired him a lot and he was a huge figure for me. My keeping idols flipped between Jack Russell and Ian Healy, who were both great with the gloves.

First first-class century...

It came against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge when I was 20. I made 160 but it ended up being in a losing cause. I remember I was using one of Paul Johnson's bats and I broke it in the middle of my innings. I tried to piece it together but it didn't go too well. If I rummaged around in my old coffins I reckon I could still find it.

First Test...

It's so strange because I don't remember a great deal about the game. The highlights were on TV during the New Zealand series last year and I was watching and thinking, "I don't really remember this bit." Your body just goes into autopilot. I do remember when I got the call-up, because it was really weird. I was in Guernsey on a benefit trip for Kevin Evans. I had just got a mobile phone the year before and didn't even take the call personally. It was Clive Rice who told me I'd been selected.

First bit of advice to a young wicketkeeper...

It's all about catching the ball but you've got to enjoy it. Whenever you go into it, make sure you're not forced. Don't take the gloves because no one else wants to do it. If you enjoy it, do it, as it is the most rewarding role you can have on the park.