IT was great to help the team get across the winning line against Gloucestershire in the week, scoring 65 not out in the second innings.

But it’s the bowlers who deserve the credit because they were fantastic.

On the second day of the game they put in a huge effort and to get 20 wickets in 130 overs of play like they did is a fantastic effort.

To be fair to Gloucestershire they also bowled well in the second innings and made things very hard for us.

But thankfully we were able to get the win we wanted to keep our good run of form going.

Up next is Hampshire at home in the T20 tomorrow and they’re a team we haven’t had too much joy against in the past few seasons.

They’re a strong side and beating them would give us a huge lift ahead of the final few group matches in the competition.

Another couple of wins will see us right in the mix and we’re fully focused on just making sure we get through to the quarter-finals.

In the past we’ve set out to make sure we’ve been at home in the last eight and have got on a great run, only to then play poorly in the quarter-finals.

But this time we’re just out to make sure we get through the group stages and if that means playing away from home in the last eight then so be it.

WE WANT TO KEEP RUNNING

WE’RE on a real roll at the moment and it’s something we definitely want to keep going.

We’ve managed to turn things around in the last four to six weeks, winning four of our last five T20 matches and getting back to back victories in the County Championship.

Stringing successful results together like that can make a big difference and we now find ourselves within touching distance of the top few teams.

I’m not one for making excuses but I do feel injuries hampered us in the opening few weeks of the season.

Unfortunately, I was sidelined with a broken thumb and Mark Pettini, Jesse Ryder and David Masters were also injured.

Ryan ten Doeschate was away along with Ravi Bopara and in some of the early T20 matches I think we were missing four of our top six batsmen which is obviously going to make a difference.

But now we’re back together things are starting to go to plan and long may that continue.

I don’t think we’ve reached top form just yet, especially in T20, but we’re moving in the right direction and there is now a much better feel around the place too.

I CAN'T WAIT TO FACE AUSSIES

WITH the Ashes coming up, we’re all really looking forward to taking on Australia in a four day game which gets under way next Wednesday.

As a cricketer, you always want to test yourself against the best teams and players and that’s exactly what we will be doing.

Scoring runs or getting wickets against a team like that will do wonders for your confidence and it will get your name out there too.

I think every single cricketer should aim to play for their country and I’m no different.

It’s a huge ambition of mine to play for England and you therefore want to show exactly what you’re capable of when you get to play against a team as good as Australia.