IT'S been back to what I call the ‘bread and butter’ this week with three County Champion-ship fixtures in 14 days.

It has been a welcome change for the boys after a disappointing Twenty20 campaign.

It was like we had the wind taken out of us after our defeat to Somerset in the opening game. Things slipped away from us which can easily happen in Twenty20 with the games coming thick and fast.

The visit of Surrey was a game the boys had been looking forward to after previous weeks. For me it’s the best form of the game and where your own physical and mental skills get fully tested with bat, ball and in the field.

There is no hiding place in a four day game, as there can be in Twenty20. I was actually playing in the second team during the week and I’m told I luckily missed out on another batting display from Mark Ramprakash. Having played against Mark for a number of years I know how mentally strong and immensely talented he is.

To still have the drive and hunger to succeed at first class level is something I’m hoping our younger lads can learn from. It’s almost as if every innings could be his last and he always puts a high price on his wicket.

While Ramprakash was batting his way to a hundred I was plying my trade at Usk C.C for Wales.

After the mayhem of Twenty20 cricket I felt it was important to get back to basics and bowling at Usk helped me achieve some reality again.

Bowling in the shorter form of the game can pull you away from the basics of bowling which is needed in the longer format. I felt that during that period my stock delivery had evaded me and I needed to get that back to basics and finding some rhythm again.

It seemed I was not alone as Andrew Caddick had the same idea playing for Wiltshire. It showed he still has the hunger and drive to keep bowling and practising at the tender age of 41.

It also taught me a valuable lesson that even with over 1200 first class wickets he still wants to improve. There are only a few first class cricketers in the country that can get away with limited practice.

I’m hoping our young batsmen and bowlers will have a learnt some good lessons from these two highly successful veterans of the game.

A good draw against Surrey was followed up with another good draw against Derbyshire.

It provides us with a good foundation for the end of the season and the ability to push for promotion to division one with the arrival of a certain Herschelle Gibbs next week.

During our trip to Derby it was decided we should be moved form our normal hotel that was situated near the ground to a bigger and more comfortable establishment in the countryside. Smiles quickly turned to concern when we found out the hotel was an old monastery and also haunted! Some of the lads found this amazing and were making funny noises in the early hours.

I actually thought I’d seen a ghost myself one night but it was just Mike Powell’s pale complexion!

While in Derby we sat and watched England’s game against India in the world Twenty20. I can’t believe how Graham Napier has not got a chance in the team. He is our best domestic player and also has a contract in the lucrative IPL with wages apparently around $80,000 a year.

England were blatantly missing big hitters in the team and Graham would have fitted the bill. If he can’t get in the team now I can’t see him playing at all which would be a huge disappointment for him.

It’s an important week with the visit of Northamptonshire to the Swalec stadium. A win could possibly take us up to third in the table which would represent a very good start in the championship.

I have already mentioned Herschelle arrives next week and he could play a vital role in our push for promotion.

Of course there is an important rugby game coming up this weekend and it’s been a hot topic of debate in the dressing room.

Some lads think a win for the Lions and others fancy the Springboks.

Everyone is entitled to his opinion even though our lads change their minds like the wind! I’m no expert but I do like to think I played a reasonable standard for Pontypool Schools/ College towering in the middle of the line-out!

I just fancy the Lions may struggle against a hugely powerful Springbok team who have been very successful in recent times.

I’m hoping I’m proved wrong, especially as we have a South African in our squad!