Planning is key to success

By James Kirtley Sussex and England fast bowler

In the last few days I have experienced a fair number of different emotions, from the anxiety of whether or not I was going to play, to taking the field against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge for my first England game on home soil.

As you can imagine, there are not too many better feelings in the world than representing your country, especially in England, and it has allowed my family and fiancee to see me in action.

I am intending to enjoy every moment throughout this tournament and although nervous, I was relishing the chance to bowl against two experienced and talented sides (Sri Lanka and India).

That's out: Yours truly bowls Chaminda Vaas

Both teams have some fine players but I can't allow myself to get too daunted by the situation, and we we have team meetings to discuss where we are going to bowl to the likes of Jayasuriya, Jayawardene, Sehwag and the little master himself, Tendulkar.

I am still buzzing from our win over Sri Lanka at Headingley.

It did not all go to plan, however, as I and a few others were on the wrong end of the Jayasuriya 'hurricane'. It was an amazing display of pinch-hitting.

Dazzler's return

It is important to remain composed and to listen to the more experienced players, which is why having Darren Gough back in the side is so vital.

At these times, it is important to think on your feet and remember what plan was agreed in the team meeting. No two players are the same so it is vital you are clear what you are doing.

It is important for me to remain poitive and sometimes you just have to hold up your hands and say it was his day and be honest with yourself and your performance.

A catch like that does not happen very often

I suppose this piece would not be complete if I didn't mention my catch at Lord's to dismiss Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

I have never seen such a concentrated amount of good catches. It all started with Nasser's diving effort at Trent Bridge, followed by others from Thorpey (Graham Thorpe) and Ronnie (Irani).

Then at Lords, Tres (Marcus Trescothick) started things off with his diving catch.

All I can say about mine was that I knew very little about it.

I picked it up very early, which helps at Lords because it is possible to lose the ball in the crowd.

I might have pulled out and concnetrated on trying to stop a boundary but I decided commit to the catch, although I honestly thought I would get nowhere near it.

I was surprised as anyone else when the ball stuck in my outstretched left hand. I am so happy it was caught on camera as I now have a huge memento of my first game for England at Lord's.