What a week for Sussex cricket. A first ever Tim Ambrose hundred and a match haul of ten wickets for James Kirtley inspired our first Championship win of the season against Yorkshire.

Then a call up to the England one day squad for James was the prelude for a resounding victory against last season's finalists Leicestershire, in the C&G trophy and lest we forget another Billy Taylor hat trick and a Richard Montgomerie hundred.

Who needs the World Cup with all this going on?

What an achievement for James Kirtley. Nobody will ever know or appreciate what this call up means to him and those closest to him. In fact I can think of few people who would have survived, in cricketing terms, his ordeal in Zimbabwe and the months of agonising reconstruction work that followed.

It's a tribute to his immense mental strength and ability that not only has he returned and bowled well this season but bowled well enough to get a second chance in an England shirt. Of course we shall miss him, especially at Arundel next week, but I am confident we have the resources to manage without him and in any case a successful series would certainly book his place on the Ashes tour this winter and maybe the World Cup in South Africa. We couldn't begrudge anyone that, could we?

The mere mention of the word Arundel ignites memories of my own fortune in recent times. My Sussex one day record of 168, against Middlesex, in 1999 will live with me for many a year not just because I played particularly well that day but because it was Arundel at its best. Fine weather, over crowded marquees, boundaries crammed with supporters of both sides and there in the background the most breathtaking of views available on an English cricket ground. For all those reasons and more my hundred there last year ranks in my own personal top five.

I had just returned from a broken thumb and to add to the occasion we were playing Derbyshire, my old county. I batted all day and recorded a score of 192 which was chanceless and technically one of my best. In my quest to record a hundred against every county to notch up one against Derbyshire was extra special, only Leicestershire and Northants elude me.

With the absence of James for the next couple of weeks opportunities for the bowling attack will be plentiful and it will be a great test for our boys. Jason Lewry has been out of sorts by his own high standards thus far, but he will surely be in line to fill the gap left by Kirtley while Billy Taylor who has bowled brilliantly all season for us in one day cricket will have to take a lead role in what will only be his second championship match since last July.

A second hat trick for the season this week will give him great confidence (not that Billy needs it) in the weeks ahead. The lion's share of responsibility will undoubtedly fall on Robin Martin-Jenkins. Stronger and more consistent than ever, Robin has already shown that whilst he hasn't the returns that James has, he has been arguably our best bowler.

I'm convinced that if Robin can maintain his form and push on with the ball the wickets will come more often and in bigger hauls. If he finds the same confidence and control with the bat he will play for England, this is not in question. Quality all round cricketers with the desire to go all the way do not grow on trees. At some stage the opportunity will present itself to Robin. We know one thing. Although it's a lot easier if you play for Surrey you can play for Sussex and still achieve international recognition.

Saturday June 22