CRAIG White traces the rediscovery of his best batting form to the moment he was dropped by England this summer.

While England were starting the final Test of the Ashes series against Australia at The Oval today, White was reflecting on helping Yorkshire take a step closer to the county crown with a superb century.

It was only this month that White cut a sorry figure with bat and ball in the third Ashes Test defeat at Trent Bridge, after which he was dropped by England.

"It was a weight off my shoulders being left out of the Test team," said White.

"I was not at my best in the Test arena. I had not really done much with the ball and I had not had any big innings.

"I said to myself I need to get back on the county circuit and I was pushing for my place in the county team. I knew if I did not perform then someone would take my place.

A back injury has undermined White all season, and he is on record as saying he was never fully fit during England's unsuccessful summer.

But he believes he is beginning to return to full effectiveness with bat and ball.

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, August 23, 2001