I was bemused by Justin Langer's mystifying explanation of how Australian batsmen struggle with spin bowling on the sub-continent; "It's almost like Indians have chillies from a very early age, therefore if you eat chilly it doesn't really bother you. But if we eat chilly, it burns our mouth, which is the same while playing spin."


Doug Walters tackling a spin bowler. Pic/Getty Images 

I acquired a taste for spicy food at nineteen but learned to play spin bowling from about eight years of age. I retain my enjoyment of spicy food to this day and those lessons I was taught as a youngster stood me in good stead as my career progressed, culminating in a few months at finishing school; a tour of India.