A much better week for the boys, well, in the Championship that is.

We had a crucial midweek game with Warwickshire who, like us, are pushing hard for a promotion to division one.

After our recent drop in form we were determined to play well in our last CricInfo Championship game at Lord's for the 2001 season. I was extremely motivated to perform having only returned meagre pickings in my innings to date at the home of cricket.

We batted first knowing that we had to post something substantial on what looked to be a very good batting wicket.

The other reason we needed some big numbers was that Phil Tufnell would not be with us having been called up for the last Ashes Test at the Oval.

Without him our chances of taking 20 wickets during the match were hugely reduced so we felt if we could bat 'The Bears" out of the game we might be a able to wear them down by sheer attrition.

Well, we managed 502 and felt very confident when we had them 6/2 late in the second day.

Little did we know that we would still be fielding a day and a half later with Warwickshire declaring at 630/8.

It also didn't help that we had a mini heatwave with temperatures in the 30's for all four days. In the end we drew the match and both took away 10 points which will be valuable come two weeks time.

I achieved what I was after, scoring my second 100 at Lord's and my first for my county at our home ground. I also backed up with 65 in the second innings and was perhaps a little guilty of trying to score quickly enough to achieve three figures for the second time in the match.

There has been a lot happening over here this week in the world of cricket. Australia, after being stung in the fourth Test, came back in emphatic style to finish off a very impressive Ashes campaign. The Waugh twins, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne all leaving these shores with performances to remember. It has been reported throughout that it will probably the last time that this group of players will tour England.

Speaking of players that won't be touring, Darren Gough and Alec Stewart will not be coming to New Zealand after the ECB ruled them out of this winter's programme. The pair did not want to be considered for the first tour to India but both wanted to come to New Zealand.

It has been seen as picking and choosing what tours a player wishes to go on and that can set a dangerous precedent.

One player who definitely won't be there is Michael Atherton after he announced his retirement this week. Athers is a popular figure who was known for his fighting qualities especially when a game needed to be saved.

But I remember him for two innings he played in Christchurch when I was captain for the first time. He scored a 94 not out and 118 in his two innings and set the platform for an England win after being set 305 to win.

A big week ahead for the Crusade and I would love to emulate Atherton's performance and grab some very valuable points.

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