England batsman Nick Compton admitted he was a relieved man after his maiden Test century in Dunedin.

The grandson of the dashing Denis is rather intense and readily concedes: "I've always been someone who analyses myself quite a lot, probably to my detriment."

He is not alone, recollects Tim Ellis, after trawling the annals to find other cricketers who were not exactly chilled out.

1. Mark Ramprakash
One of the most talented English batsmen of the early 1990s suffered through his own tortuous desire and the lack of family within the England camp at that time. At his worst, Ramprakash was intense, insecure and unsmiling, and earned the nickname 'Bloodaxe' for what he would do with the bat in the dressing room after being dismissed.

2. Ed Cowan
Like Compton, Cowan has had a similar late start in Test cricket. Despite his stated aim to play with more freedom, he admits: "Playing for New South Wales, I personally felt I was always playing for my spot in the team. And when that happens you probably want to survive rather than score runs, which are a dangerous attitude as a top-order batsman." It is hard work watching Cowan build an innings. It took him 29 balls to get off the mark in Hyderabad.

3. Rahul Dravid
His legacy is there for all to see after leaving Test cricket on his own terms 16 years after he had started. However, Dravid was well known for being obsessed with technique and his own game, forever wondering how good he could become: "Early on in my career, I was probably very harsh on myself, extremely tough on myself. But, over the years, I've begun to relax and learnt to accept things."

4. Nasser Hussain
When England were at the bottom of the heap after losing a home series to New Zealand in 1999, it was Hussain who got them off the floor. His absolute desire to excel would often bring out a fiery temper and obsessional streak: "I'd be in my room the night before with the grip off, putting tape round it, sanding it. If I broke my bat, it would be the end of the world and I'd have to get a new one in exactly the same shape."

5. Mohammad Kaif
Kaif earned his first Test cap against South Africa at the age of 20. It was clear that he had exceptional talent - his 87 helped India chase down 326 to win the series in England two years later - but he was too consumed by the game to the point where it became all or nothing. Perhaps in part it could be because the boy from Uttar Pradesh- a cricket backwater - wanted to prove he could do it. He remains, rather unfairly, on the international scrapheap.

6. Michael Hussey
Recently retired from the international scene, Hussey was affectionately known as 'Mr Cricket' for his total focus and meticulous preparation leading up to games. He even took the role of lead singer in victory songs and phoned up all the players individually to tell them of his decision after calling it a day. Hussey admitted: "I won't miss the sick feeling in my guts every time I go out to bat or the stress and pressure of being a Test cricketer."

7. Dermot Reeve
One of Wisden's cricketers of the year in 1996, Reeve was a man with a head full of ambition, an ambition that far outweighed his talent and often engendered the wrath of opponents and even some team-mates, most notably the more gifted Brian Lara. As Allan Donald said: "I wouldn't like to play against him, though, because he is such a niggling character on the field." What Reeve did brilliantly at Warwickshire was to help create a winning team, landing six trophies in three years. He also did a good impression of Imran Khan.

8. Geoffrey Boycott
He may enjoy the windups in the commentary box these days, but Boycott was probably the most self-absorbed cricketer ever to have played the game in modern times. His ability to occupy the crease without moving the scoreboard too quickly was legendary, although it caused a bit of an incident in 2009 with Matt Hayden, when the latter suggested Boycott's batting style had "emptied cricket grounds".

9. Shantha Sreenath
Sreesanth has the ability to infuriate and unsettle in equal measure. After twin surgeries on his toes which left him in a wheelchair for a year, he said: "I used to think that there are days where I can relax. But now I know that life is fickle. You have to give your 100 percent as long as it lasts." If he does return to the international stage, perhaps we can look forward to more beamers, rows or another slap from Harbhajan Singh.

10. Justin Langer
When Jock Campbell, physical trainer of the dominant Aussies led by Steve Waugh, was asked who the most intense player in that dream team was, he didn't bat an eyelid. "Justin Langer," he said. Langer has had his fair share of hits on the head - both on and off the cricket pitch - but kept on coming back for more. His love of sparring suited the opening role. How Australia could do with him now.

Tim Ellis