This week we find ourselves in the familiar territory of St John's Wood.

I hate to sound blas about what should be a mouth-watering opportunity of playing at Lord's but, having played here twice already this year, it doesn't seem quite such a glossy fixture.

The same journey up. The same traffic. The same hotel.

I find myself sharing a hotel room with Jason Lewry, whose rehabilitation from keyhole knee surgery has been remarkably swift and is testament to the brilliant advances made in medical technology.

Only two weeks ago he was laid out on a surgeon's operating table. A few hours later he was walking out of the hospital and he is now fit to bowl again at full pace.

The last time I shared a room with Mr Lewry was ten years ago. It was during one of my first games for the Sussex 2nd XI.

I was a callow 18-year-old fresh out of public school and very nervous about my first 'away trip' with Sussex.

I had checked in to the hotel and saw I was due to room with Jason, whom of course I knew about having already made a name for himself with Sussex by then.

I lingered in the lobby when I saw Jason arriving and heard him asking the receptionist whom he was rooming with.

"That'll be a Mr Jenkins, sir." To which Jason replied rather loudly: "Jenkins? Who on earth is Jenkins?"

At which point I apparently marched forward with outstretched hand and said: "Robin Martin-Jenkins, pleased to meet you!"

It seems odd that it has taken ten years for us to put together again. On the whole room-mates tend to stick together as they get used to each others eccentricities.

For four years I had the various pleasures of rooming with the late Umer Rashid. Once I became used to the rather exotic smells and sounds that emanated from his bed at night, Umer was a delight.

He was always great company and his vast array of stories and jokes could lift the spirit even after the longest day in the field.

In recent years I have shared with Richard Montgomerie.

Two more opposing characters you could not find but, in his own way, Monty is every bit as eccentric as Umer was and just as good company.

The evenings in the room are now a bit more peaceful than they used to be. The blaring telly with MTV has now been replaced with quiet reflection. FHM magazine has been replaced with a spot of Chaucer or Shakespeare.

Popular culture has become more like high culture. For this week, however, Monty has brought his fianc, Fran, with him, hence my new room-mate.

At Lord's we face a Middlesex team high on confidence and high in talent. Their seam bowling department, which in the past has been a chink in the armour, has been considerably strengthened by a young Australian called Glenn McGrath.

The great Australian has already shown what he can do on the first two days and he still has a major role to play in a fascinating contest.