Hitting the ground running

Well, I'm here in Johannesburg, at the Champions Trophy. I didn't think I'd be here.

If you've read my last post then you'll know I was expecting a three-week break. I got nine days into that and I got a call from our New Zealand coach, Andy Moles, telling me that I'd be travelling the next day to come into the squad.

Daryl Tuffey had broken his hand while fielding in the Sri Lanka game. He bowled after doing it which is an amazing effort, but in the morning his hand was huge. Like one of those big 'foam hands' you wear at the baseball from what I have heard. I feel really bad that Daryl couldn't finish the tournament, it's a terrible thing to be bowling really well and pick up a very unexpected injury that rules you out of such a special competition. I feel really bad for him and wish him as quick a recovery as possible!

Stepped off the plane at 9.30 on October 1, straight to the hotel, check in, go and get a hair cut (sorry sis!) off to get some lunch, some biltong and then to training. If you've been reading you'd know I have had nine days off before coming here; no bowling for nine days. I was a little worried about the form I'd take into the nets, but I did know I was fresh and felt great.

I started easy and got into it pretty quickly. I felt great and I was very happy with how I bowled. I went for an hour as hard as I could, trying to do as much catch up as I could. It was a very good hour. Lengths were good, yorkers came out well, slower ball needs some work!

Yesterday, my second day here, and it was into the nets again for as much as I could do. Again it was really good. My pace is right there and I had it swinging nicely with an older ball too. Very happy!

And here we are, game day. We leave in 30 minutes or so to head to the ground to take on a very impressive Pakistan team. The boys are very confident after playing some great cricket against a fantastic Sri Lanka team and England who, apart from last night, have played well and deserved their semi final spot.

I will be carry the drinks, and I knew this yesterday morning before training, hence going hard at training to get myself as good as I could and give as much quality bowling in the nets as possible.

Wish us well, it's going to be a great semi!