Andrew Davies column

I love my cricket and I’ll definitely be getting involved with the Ashes. It’s been massive in recent years and this one’s going to be another great series – and tough for England.

Mez has been getting a bit of stick at training off a couple of the lads about Australia’s chances but I think it’s too early yet.

He’s not said much about it so far. But then again, his head’s a box of cartoons and sometimes he’s just sat there staring at walls so you’re never really sure what he’s thinking about!

I’ve always been a big fan of the game because my older brother Mark is a professional cricketer. He’s been in the England squads and played for the B team.

He’s played at the top level for 15 years – 12 of them at Durham, where he won championships, before moving to Kent where he is now.

He’s getting a little bit old but it’s good that we’re both involved in sport.

I always played cricket with him from the age of 12. I chose football when I got to 16 because that was more my game but I’d still play in my time off until the academy director at Middlesbrough found out and put a stop to it.

I was a bowler like my brother and he used to teach me. There used to be arguments because I was a little bit quicker than him but Mark always bowled the ball straighter!

He’s never been that quick but he’s always accurate so his average has been good. I can’t really slate him because he has taken a lot of wickets over his career.

He comes to watch Bradford all the time when his season is over. Right from watching me play for England youth, he’s always been a big supporter of mine and used to come to Middlesbrough a lot.

We’ve both supported each other through our careers and there’s been a healthy rivalry driving us on. We want to show each other who’s the best at their sport.