Weekend (Summer) Winners: Part 2

So, just as England's winter of cricket ended, the English "summer" of cricket began. The first day of the County Championship was Thursday 5 April 2012 and it dawned, dull, damp and cold … so different from Friday 8 April 2011, which was bright, warm, sunny and dry.

Start of Season 2011

Start of Season 2012

Oh well, it's not all about the weather (well, it is quite a lot); what's more important is that Surrey are back - where they belong - in Division One. This year's plans must include challenging to be County Champions, retaining the CB40 trophy and getting through to the semi-final stages of the FL T20. This year's dreams include being County Champions, retaining the CB40 trophy and winning the FL T20. Come on, a girl can dream.

So, there I was, on a gloomy, cold Thursday morning in the first week of April with a smile on my lips as my eyes caught their first glimpse of The Oval, and hope in my heart. OK, I was wearing the traditional early-season spectating garb of jeans, socks, boots, jumpers, fleece, gloves and scarf, whereas last year I'd been in t-shirt, sandals, cropped trousers and shades, which took the edge off my joy. But just after ten o'clock, clutching a cup of piping hot black coffee, walking into the Long Room of the Members' Pavilion felt pretty good. It was also Day 3 of the second England v Sri Lanka Test match and the TV screen showed clear blue skies behind KP as he worked his way to a big century and England into an unaccustomed strong position. In contrast, outside at The Oval, the floodlights were on against a grey brooding sky. The domestic season was about to start - albeit it under artificial lighting.

It has to be said that the Long Room at The Oval does not give a great view of what's happening out on the field … but being in there does help keep hypothermia at bay. I'd have preferred to be out on the top balcony of the Pavilion or in the Peter May stand … and I know that's where I should have been … but it was just too cold.

Sussex won the toss and opted to field. Why? Surely anyone with a choice would want to be inside for as long as possible? Surrey scored at the speed of an arthritic slug and went from 9-1 to 11-2. The gloom of the sky began to invade my heart. We began to wonder if we'd reach 50 before lunch. Then the experienced hands of Mr Ramprakash and Mr de Bruyn began to tell and the score moved on, although the former fell at 79-3, and we were nearly 100 at the end of the first session.

Fifteen wickets fell on the first day: Surrey all out for 264 and Sussex 105-5 at the close. Felt as if we were just ahead. The sun came out, but without any real warmth, on Friday. Sussex were all out for 196 and Surrey reached 250-8. 300 ahead felt promising. The last two wickets took us to 273 on Saturday morning, Sussex wickets kept falling and the thought of a win inside three days popped up. Not to be: Sussex 240-8 at the close and we'd have to come back for the conclusion on Easter Sunday morning. Could it all be over in just two balls? Well, no, it took about 45 minutes but Surrey had secured their first County Championship win of the season. Loads more to come, we trust. And there we were at the top of the table … until Somerset beat Middlesex later in the day and sneaked ahead with an extra batting point.

Good solid start, strong squad with plenty of others pushing for a place, loads of optimism, keenness and commitment - and Mr Pietersen headed straight from Sri Lanka to India, where, with luck, he'll be occupied until England needs him in mid-May for the Lord's Test against the West Indies. Very glad at how well he ended his winter … but I'm much happier when Nuts is happy somewhere other than in a Surrey shirt.