Gallian wants to keep on going for as long as possible

Cricket has undergone such a transformation that Jason Gallian says the game can be difficult to give up. The Essex batsman is in the final year of his contract with the county and, at 37, knows it could soon be time to call time on his playing career. In his 19th season, Gallian is still thriving on the fresh challenges brought about by the changes. "At my age I have to take it season by season and if I keep enjoying it then we will see," he says.

"For now, I am just looking forward to playing with Essex for the second year and, hopefully, having more success. "We won the Friends Provident Trophy final and Pro40 Division Two title, and reached the Twenty20 Cup finals day, so we want to build on that. Of course winning and success makes it more enjoyable and pushes you to keep going, but it's also down to your body. "Some of the guys I played with in the past knew when it was time to stop. I really think it depends on your appetite for the game.

"I enjoy being part of all these exciting new additions like Twenty20. It is fresh and exciting and that's what you want cricket to be like." Essex will be looking to show their one-day prowess when they compete for the ProArch Trophy from today. Gallian will be part of the squad that takes on rival counties like Surrey, his first club Lancashire and Yorkshire, in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Alastair Cook will be with the England team though, and Gallian, a former international, says his county teammate is destined for big things.

"If England want to build for the future after the Ashes, then it might be the right time for Alastair to be the captain," he says. "He has the right attitude, the temperament and knows how to manage players. "But the captaincy of the cricket team is about tactical awareness and that comes with experience and time. "I am sure he will admit he has a lot to learn, mentally and technically, but he is young enough to be part of England's team for years to come."