I'M still waiting for a date for the scan on my back which will determine if I'll play again this season.

If it is a stress fracture of my back then it could be the end of my season but if it is just something in the rib area then I may be able to play the last couple of games.

The frustrating thing is that I can do just about everything but bowl. It has already cost me two Test matches - at Trent Bridge and the current Ashes game at Headingley.

I have been told that I can do anything that does not result in my back hurting.

So I have been out running and going to my local gym for some bike work in an effort to keep fit.

I can even play golf - after a fashion.

I was at Strensall on Monday for Darren Gough's Golf Day at The York. It is a cracking course, one of the best I have ever played on. It was a great success for Goughie.

We were keeping in touch with Wayne Clarke, the Yorkshire coach on my mobile phone to see how the lads were getting on against Notts at Trent Bridge in the Norwich Union League.

We thought 244 was a big total to get under lights but the lads did well to make it.

When I got home I put it straight on the television and was glued to the set until the end - I didn't even get up to make a cup of tea!

David Byas and Craig White got it down to a run a ball. It looked like plain sailing until they were out in quick succession, but Dick Blakey and Andy Gray saw us home.

I was also really pleased to see 16-year-old Tim Bresnan get a couple of wickets.

He is a member of my local club, Castleford, and I have known him since he was ten.

I remember him first coming down to the nets and he looks a good prospect. He bowls straight, has a good action and is a strong lad for his age.

I think it is fantastic that someone of his age can come in and go on to do the job. He certainly wasn't overawed.

It is great that Yorkshire give youngsters like Tim the opportunity to play.

That win against Nottinghamshire Outlaws showed Yorkshire have more self confidence and strength in depth these days. A couple of seasons ago I don't think we would have won that game.

We are still going strongly in the Championship and that is a lot to do with self belief. We are able to bowl sides out these days and it is looking good.

Updated: 15:53 Friday, August 17, 2001