I RECENTLY mentioned that when the Twenty20 starts it normally signals the return of the summer.

However, it appears it is still the winter in Cardiff as the rain has spoilt three of our home games!

It has been a frustrating time for all the players and office staff alike who had a torrid time dealing with refunds and disgruntled supporters. Record ticket sales for all five of the home games and nearly 8000 attending the game against Somerset meant there was an air of excitement before the tournament started.

Unfortunately rain intervened in our first game against Warwickshire. After restricting them to a total of 140 -9 we fancied our chances to knock off the runs until the rain arrived meaning we had to settle for a point.

Ian Bell opened the batting for Warwickshire and looked every bit a test batsman convincing me that if you're a test cricketer you can play any form of the game.

What makes good players stand out is how easily they make the game look and seem to have so much time to play the ball.

A fine example of this is Herchelle Gibbs. I'm sure some of you saw the game against Northants on Sky TV last Sunday. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to watch Herchelle at the top of his game, scoring 98 runs at almost two a ball.

It seemed like he could hit the ball anywhere he wanted. He played a similar innings against Somerset the week before when he got left stranded on 82.

Part of me feels sorry for him as I feel we have let him down slightly by not contributing enough as a team. With now only two games left in the competition we are struggling to qualify from our group.

If we are honest as players we have not been consistent enough with bat or ball. It has been frustrating that bowlers who have done well against us have all been South African Kolpak players, (players who are not eligible to play for England). I will be quite happy when the four-day games come around! Not having to bowl to the likes of Marcus Trescothick, Justin Langer, Ian Bell Graeme and Hick in a twenty over game will be great! (No wonder my hair is falling out)!

I'm sure most of you would have seen Kevin Pieterson's switch shot shot last week playing for England.

There has been a lot of talk in the media whether the shot should be banned or allowed. I can see both sides of the argument. Being an entertainment business, cricket fans want to be entertained.

Also, having spent some time with him a couple of years ago, I know KP is a very confident person and is always looking to 'raise the bar' with his cricket.

But I personally feel it's slightly unfair. If it allows batsmen to be right or left handed, then surely a bowler could run in and bowl left or right arm over the wicket? This is obviously a highly difficult skill but you could also run in and either bowl over or around the wicket without telling the batsmen or umpire! I think its something that will cause discussion for a while yet.

On a more positive note it was good to see my brother back playing in Glamorgan colours again, albeit in the second XI.

Adam has endured a terrible time with injury over the past three years including three operations on a troublesome ankle.

When he was 18 years old he was the most promising young cricketer in the country, above players like Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook.

Adam has much more talent than me and it was encouraging to see him back bowling last week against Middlesex' second XI in London. He still has work to do on his ankle but we are all very supportive of him and hoping he can get back to his best and fulfil his potential.

In the middle of two games this week I will be playing in a testimonial game for David Hemp. A testimonial year is awarded to a player when he has given 10 years service as an established first team player.

A year full of dinners and games enables a player to raise a considerable amount of cash for himself, rewarding his loyalty to the club.

David has a game against a Warwickshire XI including someone called Alan Donald!? I have told Dave that I am willing to play as long as I don't have to bat against Donald!

Some more good news this week as Mathew Woods's wife finally gave birth to twin girls in Huddersfield.

It's been a difficult time for Woody over the past month but our congratulations go out to him and his family.