This week we saw a declaration of intent from Duncan Fletcher and Nasser Hussain; if you come through the Academy intact, then we will play you in Test cricket.

The two debutants at Trent Bridge, Robert Key and Steve Harmison both prospered under the guidance of Rod Marsh in Australia last winter. The strong fitness regime coupled with some harsh reality talks about their own performance have given cause for the selectors to call them up after a sudden bout of injuries.

Robert Key has, for much of the season, remained anonymous with all talk of the next generation batsman being about of Ian Bell of Warwickshire. But lack of runs and seeming loss of confidence is the only obstacle between him and an England call-up.

So when Graham Thorpe pulled out of all cricket for the time being, you could say the door had been well and truly left ajar for Key. A strong lad whose range of strokes is wide and I have to say, impressive, this is a positive selection and one which I'm sure will be met with great support from all areas of the game.

Steve Harmison's selection will, I'm sure, be met with more of a furrowed brow. Personally I'm very pleased to see him playing. He is genuinely quick and hits the deck as hard as any other English bowler. His selection, however, is not performance-based, there have been several bowlers throughout the country with better statistics, but none with real pace. With Harmison's selection, Duncan Fletcher has signalled his intent. India, as talented as they are, in his eyes struggle against real pace bowling. Let's face it, who doesn't.

With the moderate success of Simon Jones at Lord's and his injury leaving a gap in the side, the obvious opportunity to play another youngster was there and has been taken. Let's hope the young man takes his chance with both hands.

As for the luckless Bell, well, if Robert Key performs and with Mark Ramprakash in sublime form, his chances of going to Australia this winter seem to be slipping away.

Our own fortunes continue to hang in the balance. With all hope of promotion in the NUL seeming lost after defeat against Surrey and a washout against Gloucestershire, it is imperative that we use the remaining games in such a way in which we can gain confidence, improve skill in one-day cricket and ultimately give the spectators some exciting cricket to watch.

Our one-day form has been a major disappointment to us all but, if we perform well in our final run-in, this will improve confidence amongst the team and greatly enhance our Championship form.

Currently the match against Surrey hangs in the balance. With the rain continuing to disrupt the season, both sides were asked to play on a wicket which undoubtedly favoured seam. As I write, it looks even stevens with our rearguard fighting hard to surpass a moderate 193 from Surrey.

Success in this game will, I'm sure, depend on how well we bowl second innings and whether we can contain the likes of Ward, Brown and Ramprakash.

With results at an absolutel premium, watch out for plenty of exciting matches around the country as teams scramble for points. With the knowledge that Hove has yielded only two draws in 15 games, then we must use our fourCchampionship home fixtures to great advantage.

Surrey, Lancashire, Hampshire and Warwickshire should be a walk in the park.

Saturday August 10