I THOUGHT we were really unlucky not to get at least one result to go our way on Friday to help us qualify for the T20 Blast quarter-finals – but at the end of the day, we need to look at ourselves.

We shouldn't have been in a position where we were relying on others for help. We are kicking ourselves that we couldn't get another win from somewhere to see ourselves through automatically.

Our form away from home didn't match up. I don't know why that is. Maybe we didn't adapt to conditions but I can't say for definite.

There are positives to reflect upon, though. We got over 220 consistently and to reach 260 against Northants on Thursday is something not many sides are capable of.

When we look to improve in the winter, it's certainly not a case of 'where do we start?' n the winter just gone, we did focus on white-ball cricket and we played a lot better on the whole.

I don't think the bowling has been too bad at all. I just maybe think it's about learning to win ugly, having the skills to come through in the tough, pressure moments.

To do that, you have to play in the big games. We have played well in some of those this year and not so well in others.

After Northants on Thursday, I tweeted that I don't think I'll ever see an innings like Adam Lyth's 161 again. It was that special and a privilege to watch.

Even in 10 to 15 years, with the way the game's going, it's still going to be tough to beat.

The game is improving and progressing massively but I don't think there's that much more to go. I reckon we've nearly reached a peak.

I was sitting with Jack Leaning in the dugout and we said 'Is 300 possible in T20?'. I said I thought it would have to be really small boundaries both sides.

The boundaries weren't that small the other night, it was just good batting. We had a few no-balls and wides, which we capitalised on and it gave us another over or two to bat. But I'm not sure whether it's possible.

It seemed like we hit a boundary every ball and we were still 40 runs short – and 40 runs in a T20 is another two or three overs. I don't think we'll see 300 for some time but you never know.

I just can't see it getting too much better than it is now and my view is the same with an individual score of 200. You'd need a lot of extras and teams are usually fairly disciplined with the ball.

The way the game's gone, it's been more of a surprise to the bowlers than the batsmen.

You see all the bowling machines, spin machines, whangers – the batsmen can practice for however long they want during a week. For bowlers, it's tough. You have your workloads and stuff, which has to be managed.

I was watching (Shane) Warne and KP (Kevin Pietersen) on Sky recently and Warne was saying how hard it was to bowl to KP because he hits good balls for four and six.

Batsmen are practising so much that they can hit any ball, wherever it pitches on any wicket, for six. If they get their position right, they can hit it anywhere in the ground. It's just about the bowlers being one step ahead.

Is there anything that could be done to even things up? Maybe. You could possibly have one more fielder outside of the circle in the power play. If you could have two out one side and one the other, it gives you a bit more scope to keep the batsman guessing.

I haven't played a first-team County Championship match so far this season but I still feel like I can play a part. I'm certainly not viewing it as 'I'll only be playing second-team cricket from now on'.

I felt like my last red-ball performance in the seconds, at York when I got 5-55 in the game, was good.

I feel like I'm bowling well with the red ball and there could be a place there for me if I keep being consistent. It's open at the minute.

We have a squad practice match this week with the red ball and hopefully I can bowl well in that and stake a claim. Then there's a second-team game at Harrogate next week.

For me, it's about not ruling out anything. I don't want to just accept that I'll be playing in the second team. That's just the way I am. I want to help the team as much as possible.