A team to contend with

It feels really amazing to be back in the fold again after taking the gamble last summer to leave out my bowling so as not to risk further serious injury. I worked really hard in the winter; having obviously missed out on the Australia tour, I needed to put in some good batting performances in the domestic competitions. I now only have one discipline so getting in the line-up will be harder – you have to make it count when you get your opportunity and especially if you're a batsman, you only get one chance.

That's no words to describe what it means to play for England, but when I got the phone call to say I was in the summer squad, I did have a little cry – for about 20 seconds, before I thought "pull yourself together".Since my last blog I've played a few Super Fours matches, finishing off one with 133 in a big stand with Lottie. It's just nice to be feeling in good form.

On top of that, I got involved in the Cricathlon on CricketAM, which is a competition to sprint with all the pads on, throw a stump like a javelin and a standing high jump. Without blowing my own trumpet, I cleaned up. It was good fun, good to get the women on TV as well.

We also launched the series on a boat going to Calais from Dover and back. We played cricket on the helipad and lost about 30 balls in the sea, it was also a chance to speak to the journalists and get some information out about the summer, which kicked off with West Indies.

Speaking of the West Indies, with having a Jamaican mum, I was asked by a journalist the other day if I felt any conflict playing against them. My answer was "No, I'm from Souf London (sic) born and bred." Obviously I'm English through and through but at home there are many Jamaican traditions – food, culture, music – which I love and respect.

West Indies themselves were an unknown quantity. I've never seen them play so I didn't know what to expect. It was the first time the sides had met in 15 years. It's extremely important to be playing them ahead of next year's World Cup and the World Twenty20. You need to have an idea what to expect so you can prepare. We're used to the Aussies, Kiwis, South Africans and Indians and it's good for world cricket.

I would say it's a good test for both teams. You can't come with any preconceived ideas or plans so therefore you have to play good cricket on the day and the best team will come out. Our team talk was just about focussing on our own game. It was just a case of "We know what we need to do and keep it simple."

We only got one half of the game in on Friday but I thought they bowled in good areas and their fielding was pretty sharp, with some good arms. Then it was nice to finish off with a competent win on Saturday when we bowled them out for 41.

We were definitely clinical and professional with how we approached our cricket with the ball, in the field and with the bat. It was a nice way to start the international summer and things must continue to improve for the next few months and the winter ahead.

Isa (Guha) was amazing with the ball. I know from facing her in the morning before the game she was moving the ball around corners and difficult to handle. She is one of the most disciplined and determined cricketers I have the honour to play with and figures of 5 for 14 demonstrated that.

For me personally I wasn't required to do much on the day. I have been asked if I miss bowling on days like that when the bowlers are cashing in, but not really to be honest. I am just grateful for the opportunity I have in front of me and it is nice to enjoy each others' success, and hopefully this is what will make us into a team to contend with.

It was really good to get the opportunity to open the batting, but by the time Squirt (Sarah Taylor) sunk her teeth into a few boundaries, the 41 required to win was on the board. She hit the best six I have seen all season, back over the bowler's head. Juicy!

The next challenge is South Africa who promise to provide good competition. It's building up to be a great summer.