In your book you tell readers a lot about the attributes it takes to do well, and being able to adapt and solve problems are a big ones. What was the pivotal moment for you?

A tennis match I had as a kid against a bigger, stronger opponent. I was trying to out-hit him. It wasn’t the right way to do things, and I remember looking at dad and he pointed to his head. So I started taking the pace off the ball and hitting different angles. I was 4-1 down and ended up winning the match 6-4.  I’ve taken that into my cricket. It’s something I’ve improved over time.

You have a lot of faith in your technique. Even if it’s unconventional, if it feels right and you can believe in it, you seem to just do it.  

I used to bat middle stump with no movement. I was getting sorted out outside of off stump. In the first match of the Ashes series in 2013-14, they were bowling quite short. I had the chance to either get out of the way or play pull and hook shots. That was when everything clicked into place. Everything felt great. My forward movement felt good, I was leaving the ball. I knew where my off-stump was. From there I started freely moving.

At times you go through little patches where things don’t feel right. Believe it or not, I forget how to hold the bat sometimes! People say I go across the stumps a long way and I’m susceptible to LBW. But if I get out LBW I’m actually happy. It’s when I’m nicking off outside off stump that I’m disappointed with myself. My technique is based around patience now.

What happened to that original career as a leg-spinner? You got big praise from Warnie.    

I never saw that that was where I was going to have longevity as a Test cricketer. I got dropped as a leg-spinner after five Test matches, and had to go back to NSW and find a way. That’s where I gave up bowling essentially. I concentrated solely on batting and that was one of the better decisions I made.

When did you feel you had arrived in that role?  

My first hundred at The Oval was a big one for me. But the hundred at Centurion against Morkel, Philander, Steyn – it felt like anything else was a bit easier after that.

Your transformation surprised a lot of people, and then you were suddenly temporarily elevated to captain after Clarke got injured against India. How did that happen?

It was a really interesting conversation between myself, Brad Haddin and Mark Taylor. We’d just won in Adelaide, and Michael got injured. We were at the bar at the Sebel in Adelaide. Mark said, “Are you ready to be captain?” He said it to Hadds. Hadds said, “No I think Steve should do it.” I was just like, “Sorry?” Tubby said, “Right, I’d better make a few calls then to the board members and see if we can get this cleared.”  Tubby actually presented me with the blazer at the Gabba.

Has it been easy since you went full-time?

We’ve had some ups and downs and you try and learn as much as you can from the losses. In India we made really good strides. After Hobart last season younger guys came in and did well straight away.

What did you say to the guys after Hobart?  

I dished out on the boys. I said I was embarrassed and it was not acceptable for an Australian team. It’s part of my job to get the boys performing better every day and form the right culture around the group.

How are the boys approaching this season?      

I don’t think it would take too much to get the boys up for an Ashes series. It’s an amazing series to be involved in, especially here in Australia. It’s great when the boys are out there and wanting to play for you. The guys are looking after each other now and ensuring that every one of them is trying to improve.

It’s the first time in a while we’ve had some Shield games before the first Test, and it’s a good opportunity for a few guys to stand up.

That first Gabba Test is very important. Last Ashes, it really set the tone. Hopefully we can recapture some of that. To take 20 wickets in every Test is important for us and getting first-innings runs. I can’t wait for the 23rd of November. It’s a big challenge for this group and they’re all excited.