'This has been one of the worst days of my career' says Ian Blackwell as English hopes are dashed

Somerset's Ian Blackwell sent what will probably be his final message back from South Africa this winter before setting off for home.

He made no bones about how he was feeling at the end of a day that saw England's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup Super Sixes disappear after Zimbabwe and Pakistan's final match was washed out and they shared the points.

`Blackie' told me: "Without doubt this has been one of the worst days of my career to date. Firstly waking up to rain in Bulawayo didn't bode well for what should have been our qualification day! Things went from bad to worse when we decided to play golf at lunch time, and then I lost my mobile phone!"

He continued: "I thought that I was having a bad day on the golf course but when we got to the nineteenth hole and discovered from the television that the Zimbabwe game had been abandoned I couldn't describe the feeling that went through my body."

The Somerset all rounder continued: "Still now we are homeward bound. I never thought this day would come, and what a trip it has been. Mostly it's been very enjoyable with some of the highest highs I have ever known, but even more lowest lows! A rollercoaster of emotions that I don't think I could handle regularly."

He concluded: "The body is on the verge of collapse and a welcome break from the game is our only consolation. Anyway I'm glad to be coming home and we land sometime on Thursday morning."

On behalf of all readers I would like to thank 'Blackie' for all the information that he has sent back to the website over the last few months. It has been very much appreciated by everybody.