Our first stop last week was Worcester, with a slight detour on route to Abingdon for a benefit game against the local cricket club.

As usual, I approached the benefit game with a lighthearted attitude, entertainment and amusement being top of the list.

This however, was soon put a stop to as I was asked to step down after bowled three balls - obviously not up to scratch!

However, Danny Law was on hand for back-up laughs as he kept wicket in an unparalleled gangling way.

It was a display, literally, of all arms and legs - all over the place as he fell when running forward to catch a shorter ball and demolished the wicket.

With the fun and games well and truly behind us we prepared to face Worcestershire as every win is crucial to our table placement, and ultimately promotion to the first division.

Gratefully we acknowledged the absence of Glen MacGrath as he was down under facing the South Africans in a one day indoor challenge.

Day one, bowling begins, and after a good opening spell I bowl terribly. It is commonly referred to as 'the yips', by the lads, meaning a total loss of control to produce a product of any passable standard!

The next day we took to supporting our team, mainly because none of us have remained at the crease as long as Stuart Law and we thought that he must be one of two things, bored or fatigued, or both.

Ultimately I think the only thing he must be feeling is pride after his recent run of success including the 189 he made on the day.

Day three had us back on the pitch and bowling, and bowling. Ronnie Irani and I had had the most success of the wicket so after tea, and with four wickets remaining, he informed me that we were to continue to bowl.

Had I not been so tired I would have argued or even protested mildly, but we gave it our best and the results came - despite wanting to crawl to the sidelines to get a drink just to slow things down, mainly my heart rate!

By the last day our position was positive as 123 was the target to win. Our two openers, Paul Prichard and Paul Grayson, set to work and with a half century apiece the result was a satisfying victory with maximum points.

We now lie second in the division and desperately want the first place.

I was not limping due to the amount of overs we bowled, but because I'm having a problem with my custom built inner-soles! (they have moved in the shoe and the sharp edge now lies exactly where my heel lands with all my weight).

So with a tender and swollen heel I was given our next game against Derbyshire off to 'deflate and recover.

Every game is now crucial as we want the top spot and need good results every time we take to the field.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.