Monday, September 3, marked the official end to my 2001 season, the final nail in the coffin if you like.

It was a relief to have the operation on my elbow and an even bigger relief to find I had a large tear in the tendon. Tendons can be stitched but wear and tear in the elbow is not so easily fixed.

Tuesday was a great night. Not only did the win give us a fantastic chance of promotion to Division One of the Norwich Union League but was against my old mates from across the Severn Bridge. If Glamorgan had won it would have meant the Division Two title for them and we didn't want them celebrating on our patch, thank you very much. So well done boys, you sent them back with their tails between their legs. The Dragon was puffing smoke rather than breathing fire, that's for sure.

What a great start in first team cricket for young Tim Ambrose and Carl Hopkinson. They have both taken to it like ducks to water. Tim has given us three fantastic starts with the bat and looks as if he has got superglue in those keeping gloves. Carl has not been fazed when given the ball or bat, his fielding has been absolutely amazing culminating in those four catches and a run out on Tuesday night. They have definitely been a breath of fresh air.

It was a bit of a sobering experience packing my cricket case and bringing it back to Swansea. Definitely a case of seeing those winter months looming in. First things in the case were my bats, not too many red marks on them, I can use them next year. Half a dozen pairs of socks still in their cellophane, no sweaty smell in my helmet and no marks on my pads, I must be a good player (oh, I forgot, there are no marks on my bat either). A little bit of Grenadian and Worcestershire grass and mud in my spikes, my white trousers are white (Gail's happy), the white running shoes that double as batting boots look exactly as they should (i.e. white running shoes) and my father has joined his local gym. Why is that relevant? Well because he has got a Sussex tracksuit, Sussex T-shirt and Sussex shorts. They are a little bit tight though, it has to be said.

Saying that, Keith Greenfield who orders the sizes for our training kit, still thinks I'm 6ins taller that I am. The shorts Grubby orders for me each year provide me with the same dilemma. Should I turn them up (for shorts) or let them down and gain an extra pair of tracksuit bottoms?

I have realised through this injury that sometimes you can take your career for granted. I am determined to more than make up for my inability to play this season by rediscovering the form that has brought me success in the past. I genuinely believe we will be playing in the First Division in both competitions next season and I'm desperate to be a part of that.

On a different note, well done to James Kirtley on his one-day selection for England. He has been fantastically consistent for us and has deservedly earned his call-up.