For many reasons this week has seen a variety of strange emotions for me.

It began with England once again frustrating the nation with our opening gambit in the World Cup. If ever the words 'It's a game of two halves' were ever more apt I certainly can't remember the occasion.

It's difficult to make too much of an assumption as to how we fared on Friday. I suppose if we can recreate the first half performance for the full 90 minutes we will pull off a memorable victory.

If not then Mr Eriksson will have some explaining to do. Becks, if ever we needed you it's got to be now. I await with eager anticipation.

Of course with the football taking all the limelight at the moment the second Test match against Sri Lanka was almost completely forgotten.

For once England thrived and Nasser Hussain will surely want repeat performances of this kind all summer.

Trescothick and Thorpe were excellent, but Hoggard's true colours really shone through as he produced the performance of the match.

Facing the heavy axe of the selectors, he needed a big match and what a match he had.

Aggressive but very disciplined would sum up his bowling, attributes which lifted the likes of McGrath, Donald and Pollock to the top of their profession. It seems that Duncan Fletcher is desperate to experiment with young Simon Jones. Why? You may ask.

Well I believe that against India maybe we will need something more than what we already have and with England 1-0 up in the series there may not be a better time to experiment.

I am all for playing youth and will watch with great excitement, but proceed with caution would be my advice. The lad has yet to rattle up 50 wickets, but I wish him well.

The same applies, of course, to our own swing king James Kirtley as he bids to impress this week against Sri Lanka for the MCC at my old stomping ground of Chesterfield.

I had to endure death by Teletext this week as the lads went down to Kent at Tunbridge Wells. I'm sure many of you follow our exploits in the same manner, I sympathise with you all.

Not being there with the lads is never easy but at the moment it's particularly difficult. We have worked so hard but as yet the wheel of fortune has yet to turn kindly for us.

It will change as long as the players continue to work hard and enjoy the contest that lies ahead. In a game which yielded little for us there was one very encouraging innings from Matt Prior.

Along with Michael Yardy nobody plays with more belief and aggression in our side. I am certain he will go places. When and how far will depend, of course, on him.

I did witness the game at Horsham on Tuesday and what a thriller it turned out to be. Languishing at 95- 5, Matt Prior produced one of those knocks which reminded me very much of yours truly.

We amassed 240 which was respectable remembering the short boundaries at Horsham.

As the rain fell, it looked like Duckworth-Lewis would have their say, but the umpires decided to treat the bedraggled crowd to the full 45 overs.

Conditions for both sides were poor but we held our nerve and came away with the spoils.

Finally we are off and running in the National League and, remembering recent years, you are never far away from the top if you can string a few wins together.

All of this, however, pales into insignificance after the dreadful news of Hansie Cronje's death.

The bizarre circumstances that led to him being on the plane will provoke many to believe that when your cards are dealt there is nothing you can do to affect the outcome.

A fierce competitor, a solid all round player and a fine tactician, he will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Those who were fortunate enough to play with and against him will tell you instead that he should be remembered for his strong leadership and ability to lead from the front. My condolences to his family.