That might sound gobbledygook since, of course, when they play they have always been a team. But perhaps not in the real sense, in the way that they have bonded and unified. All for one and one for all and all that. Nasser Hussain summed it up neatly the other day when he said that this was our side now, that the members saw England as their priority I agree. As Nasser suggested, it used to be the case that players would gather from their counties at international matches and then return.
They were always more part of Lancashire, or Yorkshire, or Essex, or Somerset, or Loamshire, or wherever. That is where they belonged.The changes in contracts and personnel and mood have changed that, probably forever. England are our team now and that was demonstrated by our regrouping earlier last week. It was like meeting your old team-mates again.We have not forgotten our counties, we will always have our pals back there, but as England's former captain, Michael Atherton, observed, players in the England dressing room are now looking less and less at the television teletext for their county scores.This has all got to be good for the long-term health of England's Test and one-day cricket But there is also an element of sadness. I like playing for Somerset, they were my first club in England, they gave me my chance. And playing for them, as I did at Headingley a few days ago, there is always the chance of a few wickets.Something else, too. With Marcus Trescothick and myself in the side, Somerset are better and I honestly think if we played regularly we could challenge for the Championship, a title the club have never won.
We went top after the win at
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Headingley, but it might be hard to stay there.So that is a matter for regret But then you come back to the other side, so to speak. By being looked after as England players are now, by being properly rested, careers will be extended. I feel fresher now than I would have done in the past after a long winter of cricket.It is no coincidence that Darren Gough and I have opened the bowling in 19 consecutive matches. That is an indication not only of the selectors' determination to be develop a policy of continuity but of the fact that we have both been fit I trust that is not tempting fate. But I think that Goughy and I will be both be able to bowl at our peak for much longer now for England.My partner won the England player of the year award last week and thoroughly deserved it was. In accepting it a dinner in London he said some extremely kind things about me and how he could not have achieved what he had without my support at the other end.He's right, of course But it works the other way round as well.
