Quick return is still on the cards

WE HAVE eight Championship matches left after this week s disappointing defeat against Derbyshire at Southgate. And we now have to win the lion s share of them to make sure of promotion back to the first division. Returning to the top

By Chris Silverwood

WE HAVE eight Championship matches left after this week's disappointing defeat against Derbyshire at Southgate.

And we now have to win the lion's share of them to make sure of promotion back to the first division.

Returning to the top flight has always been our main priority and we need to be beating sides like Derbyshire if we are going to get there.

We went into the final day on Wednesday in a strong position - needing 219 to win with nine wickets in hand - thanks to some outstanding individual performances.

All the bowlers - apart from myself - did their jobs. Murali Kartik bowled out of his skin to take five wickets in the second innings while Alan Richardson and Tim Murtagh took two wickets each. Jamie Dalrymple bagged three in the first innings.

I did not bowl well and Tuesday was one of those days when I was off the radar. Yet, we seemed to be coasting until Derby introduced their spinners midway through the final day and we lost late wickets.

We now have another break before our next championship match on Friday week when we visit Leicestershire.

We seem to be having big chunks of time when we are not playing but I suppose it gives players the chance to rest and also to train.

Looking back at the Twenty20 Cup it was bitterly disappointing for us not to make the knock-out stages again. Friday's final game against Essex at Lord's produced an exciting finish.

At one stage it looked like we were going to pull it off but we fell short in the final over.

Twenty20 is a funny game and some players adapt to it, while other players do not. However, there is no doubt we have much to work on for next season's competition.

Chris Silverwood was

talking to Patrick Mooney