'Its a privilege for me to be representing my country' says Ian Blackwell

Whilst the cricketing world sat and waited for a decision as to whether England would play their World Cup opener against Zimbabwe in Harare on Thursday, Somerset's newest international star Ian Blackwell reflected on the opening ceremony that took place over the weekend.

`Blackie' who has burst onto the England scene during the winter with his all round performances after enjoying a successful season for the Cidermen in 2002 spoke of his pride in playing for his country.

He told me: "The opening ceremony was really very impressive and the organisers certainly put on a very good show which must have taken months of putting together."

He continued: "Opening ceremonies always create the sense of things actually happening. It almost seems a dream for all of this to be happening around me and it is most definitely a privilege for me to be representing my country in the biggest tournament in cricket."

He concluded: "It made me realise just why I play cricket because you can't pay for what I experienced the other night and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It was really fantastic and lets hope we can start the tournament positively," a sentiment that will be echoed by everybody.

I am sure that all website readers will be watching the fortunes of the Somerset trio with interest and send their best wishes to all three and hope that they have a very successful tournament.