Ian Austin, 35, was more than just a cricketer who played for Lancashire. He was, as Matthew Engel wrote when choosing him as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1999, "Lancashire to the marrow". An old-fashioned allrounder with a cavalier approach to diet, he played for Lancashire for 15 years and was an integral part of the side which dominated English one-day cricket in the 1990s, taking 359 wickets and scoring 2289 runs. He also won nine one-day international caps. Best moment
Walking out in an England jumper – on my England debut at Lord's against Sri Lanka in 1998.

Worst moment
I'm not sure really, you just black out the poorer moments. Though obviously it was very disappointing to play in the first two games in the World Cup, which we won, and never play again. What will you miss most?
The lads – I'll miss the big days out and the good times in the dressing-room. When things are going well there is lots of laughing and joking and it is a great place to be. Who was your biggest influence?
A bloke at Haslingden Cricket Club called Justin Dakin who looked after the younger players, and Hartley Alleyne who was the professional there and fixed me up with a trial at Worcestershire. Both of them helped me believe in myself. What has changed most in cricket during your career?
It's become more serious and I think that a lot of the fun has been taken out of it. The socialising side has gone – although I suppose that some people would think that it is more professional. I know everyone always thinks that cricket was better in their day but players from my era, and older, would say that they learnt a lot by sitting and talking to players in the bar after a match. When I first joined Lancashire we would join the opposition twice a week during a game – whereas I can't think of one time in the last three years when I've done any socialising with the opposition. I think it's got lots to do with new-fangled ideas about fitness. Fifteen to 20 years ago, the idea of a warm-down was to sit on a bar stool with a pint. What one moment made you decide to retire?
There wasn't really one moment - I think most people are realistic enough to know when their career is drifting to a close. Obviously I was very disappointed this year – I hardly played at all after the early  B&H games for reasons that only the coach, or rather ex-coach [Bob Simpson], knows. I was left in the wilderness and had no contact, nothing, which was a disappointing way to finish. But I found that I didn't miss it that much either, so it probably was time to call it a day. What is your biggest regret?
None actually. I gave it my all and enjoyed it. Of course there were a couple of times when you thought what a load of bloody rubbish, but they were very rare. What do you plan to do now?
I'm going to carry on being the pro for Haslingden and I've set up my own business - Ian Austin Associates - which deals in leisurewear and event management. I've got a few things in the pipeline – we've worked on quite a few events this year and I hope they will become annual. How good a player do you think you were?
That's a tricky one. I was a decent cricketer who went out and tried his best. I did the things I knew I was capable of doing well. It was great to play for England but I never thought I'll be doing this for 15 years. I was just happy to sign my contract and say what the heck, I'll give it a go. Does one of your performances stand out?
No not really. I was never a massive believer in individual performances. That was the great thing about Lancashire – no one cared who did what as long as the team won. Would you do it all again?
Yes, undoubtedly, though I might do a few things differently … Ian Austin was talking to Tanya Aldred.

More Time to Go
David Ripley: 'I'm an old fogey who likes a pint'

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