I wouldn't say the 62 I got against Kent in the first innings at Tunbridge Wells this week was the best innings I've ever played.

After a run of low scores though it was nice to feel the ball hitting the middle of the bat a few more times.

It's very hard when you're having a bad trot as every person who has ever played the game will know.

Your team-mates tell you to relax but that is the last thing you feel when you go out to bat hoping that the gods are smiling on you, your feet are moving well and you're going to middle a few.

Fortunately, the balance of our side is such that we bat pretty low down these days.

On several occasions this season, when the top order have struggled, the guys further down have done the business.

Robin Martin-Jenkins is in superb form with the bat at the moment and Mushtaq Ahmed is contributing useful runs at No. 10 in that unique style of his.

As they are in so many ways, Surrey are the benchmark in this regard.

Their No. 11 James Ormond has a first-class 50 to his name and, as we saw at the Oval at the weekend, tail-enders who play with freedom and confidence can be a dangerous proposition.

Saturday June 6