Going off course on T20 ride

It’s been a long couple of weeks since my last column in a typical roller-coaster of a season especially in the form of T20 cricket.

Having reached the T20 final last season a lot was expected of Yorkshire to give it another good go this season.

But unfortunately it hasn’t gone to plan for us.

Perhaps we’re short of a couple of batters in the middle to clear the ropes.

And missing the likes of Root and Bairstow it leaves a bit of a hole in the batting order. Regardless of that, we have played some good T20 cricket and picked up a couple of wins.

Personally, since taking my five-wicket haul, I have taken a clobbering and been hit all over the ground.

That’s never fun at the best of times, but sometimes even when you execute your skills how you’d like to, all you can do is hold your hands up to the opposition batters if they start striking you out of the park.

Thankfully, we slotted back into Championship action against Derbyshire with a comprehensive win and went back to the top of the league with six matches remaining.

It’s much more enjoyable for a seamer to be at the top of your mark and see three slips, a gully and a red ball in your hand, knowing that the batter isn’t going to be running at you or looking to hit you into the nearest town centre.

It was a near-perfect performance from us, and as a bowler to be sat on the balcony in shorts, vest and flip-flops for a day and a half getting a dodgy tan was very enjoyable.

It was then out into the baking English summer to bowl Derbyshire out cheaply twice.

I was almost too tired . . .

Root destined to be all-time great

As for the Ashes, the First Test was a belter and a nail-biter to the end with the match swinging both ways a couple of times, before England won by 14 runs.

And after weathering the Aussie storm early in the Second Test at Lord’s, England ran away with it and romped to an easy win.

It’s really pleasing to see your teammates doing well for your country.

A lot has been made about whether Joe Root was the correct choice to open, but I think that has been put to bed.

He will be an all-time England great by the time his career is finished and will be scoring many more centuries over the years.

It was also good to see Jonny Bairstow amongst the runs too.

Having spent time in the England Lions set-up with both lads and seen them grow into England regulars it does inspire you to keep striving for your own honours.

As for the next Test Match  . . . surely another England win – and my prediction of 5-0 is still looking good.