I did the job with Michael Atherton in young England teams (and adequately enough if I recall). It was perhaps only because I started in the county first team so young that I did not continue in the role.I began at number six as a 17-year-old with Middlesex and have gradually crept up the order since For three or four years I have been at three. Now, Justin Langer will swap places with me.I did not take this decision lightly I thought long and hard to myself. I asked the advice of Mike Gatting, who said I should do what made me happy with my cricket and, when I was in Barbados on a late winter break, of the splendid former West Indies and Middlesex opener, Desmond Haynes He said there was no great mystery to the job. Except that the big difference is that every time you go out to bat the opposition has a new cherry in their hands.I have frequently faced the new ball of course at three and at number six for England the second new ball has often come along I am not deceiving myself it will be elementary But it is a huge opportunity. Getting in can be demanding, but get in and you have the opportunity to bat for a long time, to construct an innings. It would be welcome to be reunited with Atherton at the top of the order after all these years.It would also have been welcome to have slightly more cricket than there is before the First Test.

It looks as though there will be a chance for only one four-day match. Time was when you went in with three or four matches under your belt and felt under-rehearsed. The Benson and Hedges group matches beginning next Saturday have assumed a fresh significance Nothing in batting can replace time in the middle. Why, I’m even looking forward to Middlesex’s three practice matches this week.. Seasons do not come much bigger than this. There are seven Test matches, 10 one-day internationals, divisions – though not, we are assured, schisms – for the first time in both forms of domestic league cricket, the serious advent of floodlit games, a group of players contracted for the first time to the governing body instead of individual counties, a hesitant pyramid structure leading from village green to Lord’s. Where will it all end?

Seasons do not come much bigger than this.

There are seven Test matches, 10 one-day internationals, divisions – though not, we are assured, schisms – for the first time in both forms of domestic league cricket, the serious advent of floodlit games, a group of players contracted for the first time to the governing body instead of individual counties, a hesitant pyramid structure leading from village green to Lord’s. Where will it all end?
The official answer is at eight grounds on 17 September when the CGU National League is to be concluded. The unofficial one is likely to be under lights at one of the big-city stadiums even closer to October. Another possible response to the question, of course, is in tears.Cricket is not in crisis in England There is too much goodwill towards it for that. But it lacks and does not appear to be in any danger of rediscovering the feelgood factor.