Perhaps the summer�..s most refreshing and least predictable rebirth has been that of The Other Monty, Richard Montgomerie. The habitually sedate opener�..s return to biff-bang duty saw him emerge as the club�..s second-top scorer in the C&G group phase and even play in the Twenty20.

�..You can be an old 24 or a young 35,�.� says cricket manager Mark Robinson. �..He�..s been more improvisational and expressed himself well.�.� In the last year of his contract but playing well enough to crave another, Montgomerie is hoping for third time lucky against Lancashire at Lord�..s: he lost there with Northants in 1995 and 1996. �..It was still 60 overs then,�.� he says. �..I always hoped I�..d get another chance, so I tried to expand my game, particularly against the spinners. The difference now, I suppose, is I have a bit more belief and because, as Peter Moores said, I know you need match-winning scores not pretty fifties.�.�

The Wisden Cricketer, Rob Steen