Ian Blackwell reflects on his memorable year

Somerset all rounder Ian Blackwell just missed out on a place in the final Ashes Test, but at the end of the second day's play at Sydney he reflected on the memorable year that he had just enjoyed

He told me: "A lot has happened for me in 2002 and it only feels like yesterday since I was working in the office at the County Ground last winter answering the telephones and helping to sort out the membership forms."

At the start of the year `Blackie' set himself the tough target of playing for England and to help him to achieve this he embarked upon a pretty strict dietary and training regime.

He continued: "Half of my goals have come true, a one day birth and I am delighted at my progress and achievements to date. To get selected for the World Cup in February in South Africa has really topped off a very successful year for me personally."

Before he sets off for Africa with the rest of the squad of fifteen, England have the remaining matches of the triangular one day series to complete, with the next game being against Australia in Hobart on January 11th.

`Blackie' who has turned in some impressive performances with both bat and ball told me: "I'm hoping to achieve similar things in the second half of the VB series and help England get to the finals which is almost on now. Fingers crossed during the World Cup and I think we should do quite well in South Africa."

He concluded: "I was very close to playing at Sydney but it didn't materialise unfortunately but still it now gives me something extra to strive for, along with getting promotion for Somerset in 2003."