Sam Robson has a confident answer to the question that will be his constant companion if, as expected, he opens the batting for England this summer.
The accent is a clue to the question, for Robson sounds more Sydney than St John’s Wood.
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He is the Australian, born to an English mother, who will attempt to come to the rescue of our cricket at a time when it has been condemned to its lowest ebb by his fellow countrymen. He is a former ‘enemy’ now in our midst.
It is not without irony that Robson’s probable introduction at the highest level coincides with England’s stated attempt to regain a more ‘English’ feel to the national team.
Yet England will have no hesitation in making him Alastair Cook’s opening partner for the first Test against Sri Lanka if he carries on the form for Middlesex which saw him score 1,180 first-class runs last season at 47.
‘Look, I grew up in Australia,’ said Robson. ‘I still go back there occasionally and my family live there.
Robson, a technically accomplished opener with a hint of Mike Atherton about him, already has one influential supporter in director of cricket at Middlesex and England selector Angus Fraser.
‘It’s going to be a challenge for him this summer because a lot of people are going to be looking at him but that was the case in the winter when, as an “Aussie” boy as such, he succeeded in Australia with the Lions, which showed he’s got a lot of nous,’ said Fraser.
Robson appeared for Australia Under 19s and so disappointed are they to lose him that they changed their eligibility rules to make it easier for him to play domestic cricket as a non-overseas player.
But the lad’s head is not for turning, despite attempts from his Middlesex colleague Chris Rogers to turn it, not even after seeing his adopted country thrashed by his native one.
The coaches who have worked with Robson believe he is ready for Test cricket.
Does he? ‘I know how important the next couple of months with Middlesex are going to be and if I keep performing well you never know. I’ll just do my best and see how we go,’ he said.
And if and when the call comes, Robson is adamant that he will even have the support of his Australian father, who works as a coach in the indoor school at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
‘Both my parents have always been totally supportive,’ said Robson. ‘It’s just the way my life has panned out.
It would be even more amazing if he opens the batting at Lord’s against Australia next year.
HE MUST BE BETTER THAN 'RAT WHO JOINED SINKING SHIP'!
In the 19th Century, Trott, the only man to have cleared the Lord’s pavilion with a six, played Tests for both countries.
The ‘rat who joined the sinking ship’. McCague was said to be a big, brutish fast bowler. He was certainly big (about two stone overweight) but his bowling was help-yourself stuff.
An all-rounder, below, who didn’t seem good enough with bat or ball. Played well at times but was no ‘new Botham’.
4. Jason Gallian (1995) Top-order batter who was not quite up to it. Almost as well known for throwing Kevin Pietersen’s kit off the balcony at Notts.
Laid-back to the point of being horizontal, the left-arm seamer lacked the nastiness to cut it. Also laughably bad at batting.
Feisty competitor, below, but out of his depth when thrown in against the Aussies. An excellent captain who led England to a one-day trophy in Sharjah.
Adam’s younger brother looked a more natural talent, particularly with the bat. Tragically killed in a car accident.
Probably the most successful of the lot. Played a vital role with bat and gloves as England wrestled back the Ashes in that glorious 2005 summer.
Another keeper. Had a brief moment in the sun with a Test century in New Zealand before fading from view.
Left-field pick of a former roof-tiler against South Africa backfired spectacularly. Brother James is a better bowler ...but plays for Australia!