Martin van Jaarsveld on his way to a century against Essex

The atmosphere in our dressing room on Sunday was very different to the week before when our chins were on the ground after losing to Hampshire.

It was a fantastic win against Essex. Azhar’s wickets, Geraint’s stumping of Ravi Bopara and Keysy running out James Foster all helped.

The big ask in our team-talk before the game was for the batters to score big runs.

Jarre did that, he was disappointed to get out when he did, and I thought he was set for a big, big score.

Jonesy was also not happy to get out on 99. We were looking at getting more than 400 and were eyeing 500 or 600, but it didn’t happen.

Getting out for 135 in the second innings is one of those things that happen in cricket. It swung nicely for the Essex seamers, even if there were only two of them, and they found their rhythm.

Matthew Walker is not somebody you would fear facing in championship cricket, but he nibbled it around and bowled straight. I was out first ball, (lbw to Andy Carter) and can’t remember the last time that happened. I thought it was sliding down leg-side, but the umpire thought differently.

Keysy got us going in the dressing room, and we were really revved up when we went out to field.

I think we were still favourites to win the game when we went out. Treddy bowled well, tying up one end, and Azhar doing it at the other.

Azhar is a phenomenal cricketer. He might not have the pace, but he is a wily bowler, and can swing it both ways. It would be great to see him on the pitch for all four-day games.

Getting Bopara out changed the game. It was an awesome piece of work by Jonesy, and he has done that a couple of times this season. He knew he had got him straight away.

Seeing Keysy run out James Foster was superb. I was standing at extra cover backing up, and couldn’t believe it was him swooping to throw down the stumps. I don’t think I have seen him do that before.

It’s Canterbury Week, which always holds good memories for me personally, having scored a double hundred against Glamorgan the first year I was here.

I am going through a little bit of a dry spell at the moment. I came back from playing for the Lions in good form, and want to spend as much time in the middle as I can. I keep hinting I want to bat up the order, four or five would be great, but I’ll keep doing a good job at six, and keep pushing my case.