I don't know what the team's going to be but I expect I might have to start in the

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"I don't know what the team's going to be but I expect I might have to start in the second team and try to get some runs so it could be eight or 10 weeks."The injury was a shock. I thought it might be cartilage damage, but cruciates can end careers for footballers. There were times I thought I might not play again and you get to thinking that if you get another chance you'll never get out again or play a stupid shot."Lathwell's enforced absence gave plenty of scope for reassessment. He is certain that "if nothing else I'll be mentally tougher". He has had time to dwell on his batsmanship and for those who can recall the unfettered, easy joy of his novitiate days it is uplifting news."I feel more balanced at the crease than I have for a long, long time," he said. "I intend to play my more natural game again, allying that to the experience I have now."It was the natural aspect which first persuaded observers that Lathwell was an outstanding talent. There was little foot movement, but he had a sharp eye, an uncluttered brain and got his body over the ball.

On the good days the shots flowed.Off the field, perhaps even in the dressing room, he was guarded, wondering what the fuss was about Here was a cavalier in puritan's clothes. (The only other first-class cricketer to have emerged from his class on the Lord's groundstaff is Ed Giddins and what a rare combination they would have been round HQ, the ebullient fast bowler and the withdrawn batsman.)Lathwell had an exciting debut season in 1992. England were then just starting on their long fall into darkness and his instinctive method brought him a deserved England A tour place. It was in Launceston that Dexter, then chairman of selectors and an excellent assessor of technique, witnessed his sparkling innings of 175.By the Third Test of the following summer he was in the team and by the Fifth he was out after scores of 20, 33, 0, 25 But it was his temperament that did for him, not his scores The youthful imperiousness had disappeared. Where he had been firmly anchored he was now all at sea.Mike Atherton, with whom he opened (Graham Gooch having been dropped down the order to make way), recalled later in print that they received a standing ovation as they went out to reply to Australia's 653 for 4 at Headingley. "This," said Atherton to his partner, "is how they'll be when you come back with a hundred to your name." Lathwell replied: "But this is not how they'll be if you get nought." He aimed a wide drive at Merv Hughes's third ball and was caught behind.Lathwell can still barely refer to his international experiences "I wasn't ready for it," he said.

"I don't think about it now, I've put it to the bottom of my memory banks. Maybe in 20 years I'll recall it." Asked about playing for England now he was suddenly sharp. How could he even think about such a thing at the moment?Sometime, as he was sucked back into county cricket, he changed his approach to ensure he was on the front foot more often. It might have been a more secure Lathwell but it was no longer the unalloyed natural boy. He started nicking balls to slip, he went down to the middle order. He knows he has under-achieved as 11 hundreds and 48 unconverted fifties demonstrates. "Just lack of concentration."Like the bulk of professional athletes, he is fond of most sports (though almost refreshingly not football) and his other playing passion is darts.