Ten Questions: Simon Smith

Simon Smith, 28, lives in the Slateford area. He is part of the Scotland Cricket squad playing England on August 18.

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? Coming up from Northumberland as a small boy to watch my big brother play cricket for his school, and wishing that I could just fast-forward five years and start school here straight away.

2 What are your memories of school? Finding that playing sport was a great way to get out of lessons! I recently had my ten-year reunion, and the occasion reminded me that I'd started some brilliant friendships and had so many great times during my time at school.

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? Grange Cricket Club, Stockbridge. I've had so many memorable experiences there.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? It's not too big, it's not too small, it's full of beautiful buildings and parks, and there is no shortage of great bars and restaurants.

5 What would you change about the city? The traffic can get a bit frustrating at times – trying to get from one place to another can be a bit of a job, what with all the roadworks, diversions and one-way systems.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out? Cricket-wise, it would have to be scoring a hundred and taking a load of stumpings to help Scotland beat England on a glorious sunny Monday 18 August in front of a capacity crowd on my home ground, then celebrating in town with my team-mates and family. If I could have two perfect days, the other would be having a lie-in, brunch with the papers in Harrison Park, winning a few quid on the nags at Musselburgh and spending it on dinner and a Festival show with the girlfriend.

7 Which sports interest you? Anything involving competition.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? Any night out involving Fraser Watts (My fellow Scotland team mate). He has a knack of saying or doing exactly the wrong thing once his alter ego comes out to play.

9 What is your greatest achievement? Backing four well-priced winners on the Musselburgh card on my brother's stag weekend and managing to spend all the winnings on the same day.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. My favourite city.