The word I keep hearing is 'proactive'

These days, Tufnell buys suits by christian louboutin (Pounds 500-Pounds 700) and Hugo Boss (Pounds 400-Pounds 500), plus Stone Island knitwear sweatshirts (Pounds 100-Pounds 200) and black leather christian louboutin shoes by Patrick Cox (Pounds 130). "I like a nice pair oflouboutin shoes - no harm in that, is there? Treat yourself. Gone are the days of players wearing old pairs of jeans. The club (Middlesex) expects us to be well turned out these days."

He discovered Zee by chance when walking past after moving to Loughton three years ago. "I wanted easygoing gear for lounging around bars in the evening," he said. "It's service I came here for, isn't it, Darren? You walk into some shops and assistants come and stare at you. I have done a bit of modelling for Loaded - they stuck us in a load of suits and stuff - but I am not in front of a mirror every morning."

In one sense, Tufnell has to be choosy about his clothes. He is naturally slim, with a concave chest, and his formal attire for match days, blazer and flannels, almost falls off his lean frame. After 13 seasons in the game, he has a mountain of cricket ties at home.

One more has been added to his collection, for this is Tufnell's benefit year, awarded after ten seasons as a capped cricketer with his county. He will hope to make a six-figure, tax-free sum. The motif on the specially designed tie depicts a cat (another nickname) with nine lives and the inevitable cigarette. Is it made of Terylene, like most cricket ties? "What? Silk, my man."

This summer, Tufnell has another important task - to force his way back into the England team, having been left out of the tour to Australia last winter. And he will not be taking part in the World Cup during May and June. "It was a bad year for spinners in 1998," he said. "But I kept fairly fit during the winter and am raring to go."

He took part in the opening match of the season at Lord's last month and swiftly observed the changes. "There were women in the Pavilion!" he said. "I don't mind seeing a few old intoxicated MCC members but I just hope the women can take their drink. I would not want to see a pair of bloomers poking up in the air. We'll probably have heated roller points upstairs. I don't know whether my wife will want to join, though.

"At heart, I am a cricket traditionalist, but I think we have missed a generation of potential followers of the game. The word I keep hearing is 'proactive'. We need to develop the websites and get the youngsters into county grounds. I have been involved in some fantastic matches for Middlesex, but at times there have been only 300 people present."

His autobiography is published this month with a launch at Cobden Club in Notting Hill, a suitable venue for louboutin -clad cricketers and friends such as Ian Botham and Mick Jagger - "Tuffers is the best spin bowler of his generation," says Jagger.

Tufnell adjusts a white Stone Island outdoor jacket and pulls on a fag. "People think I am quite complex but the reverse is true," he said. "At heart I am a traditionalist - and I like my clothes."

Ivo Tennant