It's been great to be back playing for the mighty Northern Knights, but it seems like I was a bit of a bad omen for them.

The boys were on nine points before my return, and we only managed two from the next five games, somehow relinquishing what seemed like an unassailable hold on the top of the table.

We played Otago first up and got through by the skin of our teeth after Warren McSkimming bludegeoned 60 odd of 30-something balls. It was a staggering innings, and I was fortunate enough not to get to bowl to him. We then proceeded to lose to The Cantabs, (although I managed to chip Nathan Astle, which has been the highlight of my comeback so far), Wellington, Auckland and, in the semi-finals, the mighty Stags.

The bowling has been going well and no aches and pains stemming from back (just from everywhere else on my body).

I managed to pick up eight wickets at about four runs an over, although in the semi I dropped onto Craig Spearman's legs three too many times. I then realised why he is such a class batsman as I looked back to see all three disappear into the stands.

Probably the best thing about playing for the Knights is that Kuggs gives me a chance to open the batting, much to Martin Crowe and the Sky commentary team's disgust. I had a rough start and was guilty on a few occasions of throwing my wicket away, but it was nice to get 70 odd in the semi. Hopefully that will keep Martin quiet for a while, although I doubt it.

The Shell Cup finals are looming over the next week, and I don't imagine anyone would have picked the Stags to be there.

However, on evidence of their last four games, they will definitely give Canterbury a run for their money, especially if Spears and Skippy Sinclair can fire with the bat.

Their bowlers have been doing a great job for them up until now and I'm sure that Dipak will be looking for more of the same.

The Cantabs on the other hand will be relying on their old heads of Astle, McMillan, Stead, and Harris to guide them through. I'm picking CD to win the first one, and the red and blacks will be too strong on their home soil to take the Shell Cup 2-1.

It's going to be great to be involved again in the New Zealand team, with the huge one-day series coming up against Sri Lanka. I'm sure the country will be looking forward to a turnaround in results, and I know that we can deliver. The Lankan's are coming off a demoralising series in South Africa, so hopefully we can take advantage of their low morale.

But with superstars like Jayasayura and Muralitharan, they are going to be an enormous challenge. I'm thinking Muri might have to land a few off the wicket when he's bowling, otherwise they are going to spin far too much on New Zealand wickets.

Anyway, with the Shell Cup finals and the one-day series across the ditch, it's going to be a huge week of cricket watching. I'm looking forward to sitting down and watching all of it, in amongst a little bit of training.

© CricInfo