The Aussies looked full tilt to me…

I look back on the World Twenty20 as a missed opportunity, for the England team. We gained momentum going into the West Indies game then struggled in what turned out to be a nine-over game decided by Duckworth-Lewis.

Disappointing. I think with our bowling we could and should have defended the target, even though it was only 80 off nine overs. There was a lot of belief within the side, especially when we put in a serious performance on the crucial D Day against Pakistan – and then to beat the champions India a week later… there was a lot of belief within the side.

After that, the England management were like, ‘We’ll be in touch’. I know it’s now a case of gettign my head down and getting some runs. I’m feeling good at the crease, even though I haven’t been spending that much time at the crease in recent weeks.

July 1 

England Lions v Australia, Worcester

 I was back with Middlesex for a couple of Twenty20 games then away with the Lions again, the big game against Australia at Worcester. Ricky Ponting said Australia weren’t on full tilt in their warm-up games, that their preparation was all about begin ready for Cardiff. Well, the spell of bowling I faced from Brett Lee was certainly up there. He put on a magnificent display of reverse swing which everyone struggled with. Even the guys who were in and playing really well at the time found it very difficult. So for the guys coming in – me and Vikram and Ian Bell – we had to battle with it. 

Playing for the Lions is slightly odd: it is a big opportunity – if the Ashes goes in favour of the Aussies it bodes well in your favour if you have scored some runs for the Lions; it’s like some kind of audition with the England selectors all stood on the balcony watching. It’s true that you are competing very directly with your team-mates: but there’s a lot of that goes on in cricket and you just get used to it. Batting is a selfish game as it is.