It’s been just over 11 years since my first ICC world event - the 1999 World Cup, also here in England. A hell of a lot has changed in that time but some things remain exactly the same – like the excitement I feel and the enthusiasm I still have for competition at the highest level. I can’t believe I’m the oldest member of the squad. I still feel 25, not 35.

We have a much younger team and squad now than we did a decade ago. The average age back then was more like 28 rather than the 23 or 24 it is now. There’s no doubt that Pro20 cricket is a young man’s game although I hope I can prove to be the exception. I feel mentally and physically up for the challenge.

There’s a lot of enthusiasm and ‘buzz’ around this team, a lot of belief in our ability, too. Part of the reason for that is being based in London, which the guys thoroughly enjoy. Personally, it’s one of my favourite times of the year to be here because there are a lot of sales on and I’m a bit of a shopping addict!

There’s nothing more relaxing than cruising around the shops for an hour or two and seeing what the latest designs and fashions are doing. I love buying a new shirt or pair of shoes. Most of the guys are ‘gadget’ men but I enjoy my clothes. Being single in London also means I can fully appreciate women’s fashion, too!

Another change over the years has been the level of security around the teams although, to be honest, the other guys seem to notice it much more than me. Unless we are in the subcontinent surrounded by soldiers with machine guns, I’m not aware of who is ‘security’ and who isn’t. There are security ‘personnel’ in plain clothes with the team all the time but I don’t think of them as ‘security’ or what they might be there for.

‘Momentum’ is a word used a lot in the context of a tournament like this, and in the context of 20-over cricket, and I am amongst those who believe it is a key ingredient of success in a short tournament like this. Having beaten Pakistan and Sri Lanka pretty convincingly we fell as though we are making a running start to the tournament rather than making a ‘cold’ start.

The aim at the start is to make it to the semi finals. That’s when the stage when big tournaments like this ‘change’, when nerves and tension play more of a part and when guys with experience and big match temperament come to the fore. Having said that, even the most senior and experienced players in the world are not immune to doing something rash on the big occasion when the match is on the line. But I’d like to think we have a lot of calm temperaments and cool heads in this squad.

I have no doubt that India and South Africa have an advantage because of the IPL but, all the same, I can also see Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand…even Pakistan and the West Indies making a serious challenge. Actually, why not England with home advantage? ODI cricket used to be described as a ‘lottery’ but that’s no longer the case. Maybe the same will apply with T20 cricket in the future but, for the moment, the shortest format of the game certainly brings all the teams closer together.

Like everyone else, I just want the waiting to stop and for the tournament to get started.