What was reassuring was that it didn't come across as a firing squad and the journalists were all quite sympathetic.

I have been very grateful for all the support I have received, whether it has come from friends and family or from other cricketers.

I've had backing in Zimbabwe from Duncan Fletcher, Nasser Hussain and the rest of the England party, and back home from Sussex and my coach Peter Moores.

It was also very warming to have support from Darren Gough, as he is a bowler I hold in such high regard and he bowls in a similar way.

I have always followed his career with interest and when I do get chance to see him I always try to have a chat.

We've talked about reverse swing, of which he is a great exponent, and the slower ball, which is where we are most similar.

It is ironic that if he had decided to tour this winter I might not have got my chance to impress on this tour.

Fisherman Flintoff

We moved from Harare to Bulawayo at the beginning of this week and have had a bit of time to get out of the hotel.

There are not that many things to do in the immediate vicinity but a few of the lads went to Matopas where they saw Cecil Rhodes' grave and went game-viewing as well as seeing some elephants.

A few went fishing and remarkably stayed in the boat, even with Andy Flintoff on board. They even caught some fish.

Meanwhile, I played a horrendous nine holes of golf at Bulawayo Country Club with Mark Ramprakash and Owais Shah.