Sussex's Chris Adams vowed today: "I will play for England again."

As Adams and the rest of the Sussex squad reported back for pre-season training, the county's captain insisted that his international career was not over despite a disappointing tour to South Africa.

Adams played in all five Tests but only averaged 13, and he was dropped three matches into the one-day series after scoring 43 runs and flew home early when his daughter fell ill. But Adams believes a successful summer with Sussex can push him firmly back into the England reckoning again.

He said: "I wish people would stop saying you must be really disappointed with what happened because I'm not. I have achieved what I set out to do when I first picked up a cricket bat as a little boy. I'm very proud of that and I know I will play for England again - I genuinely am 100 per cent certain of that. I'm not finished yet, I still have a role to play in the England team.

"I know I made mistakes and the important thing is that I learn from them. I've got to work twice as hard as everyone else and score twice as many runs, but I will do that this season for Sussex because it is my job. Any ambition in cricket is attainable if you work hard enough and my ambition is to play for my country again.

"Test cricket is an unbelievable experience and no coach in the world can prepare you for the step up from the county game. I feel extremely fortunate to have played, but once you get a taste for something like that you want more it, believe me."

Adams was overlooked when the ECB handed contracts to 12 players earlier this month, ahead of the summer Test series against West Indies and Zimbabwe which includes seven Tests and ten one-day internationals.

But he has spoken to England coach Duncan Fletcher since his return and has been told that he can force his way back into contention. "Duncan is very supportive of my situation and emphasised that the door isn't closed," he added.

Sussex's AGM takes place in the Gilligan Stand at the County Ground tomorrow from 6.30pm. Membership badges must be shown to gain admittance.

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