I WAS supposed to be playing in a Hampshire Academy match last Saturday but my brother (Brad) was short at Goatacre, so I went along to help them out instead.

We didn’t have a great result but it was a bit of a laugh and it was just really nice to get back out there and play a game.

It did fell really strange because it’s been seven weeks since I last played – running in straight lines felt absolutely fine but I still didn’t feel at 100 per cent when I was running from side-to-side.

That’s something that I’ve spoken the physios about and they say that it should get better in about a week, so I’m not worrying too much about that.

My groin is improving day-by-day and now I just can’t wait to get back to what I love doing, which is getting out there and playing games of cricket.

I started bowling again for the first time yesterday too , which was pretty exciting for me because it’s been a long time.

The plan now is to play for the second team and get a game in for the second team next week to get myself back up to speed.

It has taken a long time but I’m looking to try and make my comeback for the first team in the Twenty20 game against Middlesex next Friday (July 11).

The boys picked up a draw in the county championship against Surrey this week and it was one of those that felt like a win.

We were in a tricky position but came back to make sure we didn’t lose the game – it keeps up above Surrey and at the top of the table.

We’re still unbeaten and I think that every side knows that they’re going to have to work really hard if they want to get the better of us.

We’ve put ourselves in a really good position to get promoted and it’s one more step towards that.

CRICKET REPORTS, REACTION & PICTURES IN THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD