Well, we're almost there and I will be glad when the Championship trophy is under lock and key, the winners' cheque banked and the pennant fluttering proudly over the County Ground!

The strain of leading a side on the verge of making history has taken its toll mentally and physically and I will be glad of the opportunity to be able to relax in a couple of weeks time. And if I'm still nursing a king-sized hangover I know it will have been worth it!

Last weekend's Middlesex game was particularly draining. We'd been behind the eight-ball for the best part of two days, but then Mark Davis and Matt Prior utterly transformed the contest. Instead of worrying about following-on we had to start thinking about the best way of trying to win the game.

Thanks to our bowlers, and in particular Mushtaq Ahmed, we did manage to secure the victory which took a lot of pressure off us at Old Trafford this week.

Lancashire are on a roll at the moment and it was a great relief to go there this week knowing that a solid draw would be enough to secure the title. Let's hope that by the time you read this we have done just that and the celebrations can begin.

If we have I will be a very proud man when we play Leicestershire in our final home game next week. The support we have had from the members, particularly in the last few weeks when our first Championship has got closer, has been absolutely superb.

I know from your comments and letters that you are enjoying our performances and it would be fantastic if we had a really good turnout at Hove on Wednesday onwards to acknowledge the efforts of the players over what has been a fantastic season.

It should be a special moment in particular for Mushy. As I write this on Thursday morning that 100th Championship wicket has still eluded him, but if it hasn't already come by the time you read this then it will before the end of the season.

We've put discussions about contracts on hold until the end of the season, but assuming that we can hang on to him, next season will be an even bigger challenge for 'The Magic Man'.

It would be very dangerous to expect him just to rock up and bowl sides out with the regularity he has this season. You would expect other sides who have had a good look at him this year to have worked out a way of playing him. If not you can bet one or two captains will instruct their groundsmen to prepare a pitch to negate his talents.

I'VE just signed up to play for the Rest of the World in next month's Power Cricket series against Asia.

The competition was held for the first time last year in Cardiff's Millenium Stadium and this year it has been moved to the Amsterdam Arena.

Quite what the Dutch people will make of it remains to be seen, but it will be a nice way to relax after a hard season. I'll even get to face Mushy which should be interesting!

Finally, I hope you can come along to the County Ground on Monday when my team takes on Alec Stewart's XI in a match to support our respective benefits.

It starts at 6.30pm and will be played under Twenty20 rules with admission £5. Under-16s get in free.

Mushy will be playing along with Devon Malcolm, Murray Goodwin and hopefully Phil DeFreitas while The Gaffer's side includes guys like Dermot Reeve and Ian Ward.

It should be a lot fun - see you there!

Saturday September 13