I DIDN'T really think I would get a chance to play for England. I'd spent my entire career with Northamptonshire and we were never really in fashion, even though we produced some great players over the years.

I had a very good year in 1972, with more than 1,600 first-class runs at an average of 52 and someone said to me that I might have a chance of going with England to India in the winter.

I said I thought, no matter how many runs I got, I wouldn't go because the England selectors didn't really take notice of what went on at counties like Northants. Sure enough, I wasn't selected.

But, in 1975, my benefit year, England got hammered in the first Test by Australia at Birmingham and Mike Denness lost the captaincy.

Tony Greig took over and he went to the umpires to ask who was playing well around the counties, which was a smart move.

I was on my way to scoring 1,750 runs that season and my name came up. I was selected for the second Test at Lord's, making my debut at the age of 33.

Australia had Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson bowling very fast and I was due to bat at three, which meant there was always a chance of bring in there very early but I always enjoyed that.

My attitude always was that I just went out there and got stuck in. I didn't bother me who the opposition was because it was just a game of cricket, just the same as any other game of cricket I had played in my life.

So, when Barry Wood was out in the first few overs of that first morning, I was on my way. I got lost in the pavilion but I was so cool and calm walking out to bat at Lord's on a good wicket – I was in a wonderful frame of mind.

Australia had us 49-4 and Lillee got all four but I made 50 before I was bowled by Thomson at 145-5. I felt I should have gone on but it was a good start and I couldn't grumble.

I got 45 in the second innings, then I got 73 and 92 in the third Test at Headingley, which was abandoned because the Free George Davis campaign dug up the wickets overnight before the fifth day.

In whatever standard of cricket you play, you've always got to prove yourself and I was very pleased when the Australian captain, Ian Chapple, said it was difficult for his team when you are up against a number three in form like that.

I played next summer against the West Indies, with all their quick bowlers, but they didn't pick me for the tour to India in 1976 because they said I couldn't play spinners, which was pathetic.

If you had asked Derek Underwood, he would have told you I always got runs against the spinners but they brought back all the players who had been hiding when the fast bowlers were tearing in and I was left out.

I didn't play for England again. I'd been given eight Test matches and, although it was a short career, I made an impact.

I always felt England had let me down but I never let them down and I was glad I had a chance because I know that, at the age of 33, the chance could have passed me by.