We needed some good news to cheer us up after the disappointment of another National League defeat on Wednesday and everyone at the club was delighted that James Kirtley provided it.

As I mentioned last week, I had a horrible feeling that James was going to be left out of the squad altogether after being omitted from the final XI for the previous four Tests. So I was pleased when he retained his place and, like every one of his team-mates, thrilled that he finally got his chance at Trent Bridge.

Most of the guys sent him good luck text messages. Mine just implored him to savour every single moment of the experience. I know from first hand how quickly the occasion passes you by, leaving you reflecting on what has gone on rather than enjoying everything about playing for your country.

In James's absence, Paul Hutchison and Billy Taylor carry our seam bowling hopes against Lancashire this week. Both have worked hard this season to overcome injury setbacks. Like James with England, I'm convinced they won't let us down.

Our challenge for the Championship is creating a lot of interest nationally both in Sussex cricket and our players as individuals and that can only be a good thing. Regardless of whether we overhaul Surrey and win the title for the first time, I think we have really put cricket in the county on the map.

In contrast, our opponents at Hove this week are expected to be challenging for honours every season. Yet Lancashire haven't won the title outright since 1934, although they did share it with Surrey back in 1950.

You would get long odds at the moment on that happening again, but regardless of what happens in our match I firmly believe that it's a three-way title race rather than just a battle to see if Surrey slip up and we can take advantage.

They certainly have the players and it may be significant that when they entertain Surrey the week after next that there is no Test match taking place.

I read that their chairman Jack Simmons was furious when the England management refused to let James Anderson and Andy Flintoff play for them against Kent at Blackpool last month during a break in the international calendar.

Subsequent events, when some of our bowlers have looked under-cooked in the first two Tests against South Africa, have proved Jack was right. Whether England change their mind the next time remains to be seen, although I suspect it may depend on whether we have managed to claw our way back into the series or not.

Surrey's batsmen tend to be very aggressive and go for their shots from the start which always makes you believe you have a chance of getting them out. Lancashire, on the other hand, have a much more reliable look. particularly to their top order. Guys like Mal Loye, Alec Swann and Iain Sutcliffe are seasoned pros who are there to set up a platform for the likes of Stuart Law and Carl Hooper.

If we end up going to Old Trafford for the return match next month needing to win to sustain our challenge it is going to be a tall order. The difference this year, as far as we are concerned, is that we go there with a world-class spinner in our ranks in Mushtaq Ahmed.

To be honest, as Sussex captain, I'm just thrilled that we are competing on level terms with two great counties such as Surrey and Lancashire. We have come a long way in a short space of time but, believe me, the journey is only just beginning.

Saturday August 16