I must say that on each occasion the announcement of my name has given me the same pleasure. In getting selected now I have proved to myself all the hard work and effort has been worthwhile. Hopefully, it has also made a few people eat their words. Followers of the game often seem very keen to write off a player as a has-been. Being introduced or written about as the 'former' England bowler this summer has really annoyed me but you can't say anything until you prove them wrong.
My last appearance wearing England colours was in the infamous Cape Town Test against South Africa in January 1996. Any player walking off the field that day having lost the Test by 10 wickets and the series 1-0 would have been wondering about his Test future. Having not bowled in the second innings and been told that I was not required for the following one-day series or World Cup, my place was under more pressure than most. Even so, I did not feel I had played my last Test, but did not think I would wait so long for my next opportunity.
When you are dropped it is a real dent to your pride. There are two ways of reacting, you either say, 'Sod it' and carry on with the rest of your life or you say, 'Right, I'm going to knuckle down and prove them all wrong'. On each occasion I have taken the second option.
Representing your country is a thrill that is hard to describe. When you get it right and obtain personal and team success there is virtually nothing in the world anyone could say which would wipe the smile off your face.
I would be lying if I said at no time have I thought it was over, especially after an indifferent bowling performance or another wicketless day when the selectors have been around, but my attitude has always been, 'Give it your best shot and see what happens'.
The week building up to the announcement of the winter touring parties is a nightmare for dozens of cricketers. Many will not have planned anything for the winter hoping it may be taken care of. A non-selection would lead to a player runnning around looking for employment for six months or the prospect of signing on.
My hopes of a tour place were raised at last week's cricket writers' dinner when people were telling me I had a chance. This was followed by a fair amount of speculation in the newspapers. It is hard not to read them, especially when they are writing good things about you, so all this got me into a position I was trying to avoid. Suddenly my hopes were getting higher but I wanted to knock them down so that if it was bad news that came my way I was ready for it and I wouldn't be too disappointed. I spent last weekend trying to convince myself I would not be going but desperately hoping I would be. I wasn't good company and my stomach was in knots.
The news of my selection was broken to me on Tuesday morning while I was on my way to Sky News to talk about the squads, one way or the other. I left Sky at 11.15 after the 10.30 announcement to be greeted by 11 messages on my mobile phone, got home to find a further 13 messages and spent the rest of the day doing interviews and gladly accepting congratulatory calls.
At home the emotions are mixed. I'm delighted and so is my wife, but she is faced with the prospect of being at home on her own for three months with two young children while I'm swanning around the West Indies. Two things did bring a smile to her face, though. She should get another holiday in Barbados and we can now afford an extension on our new home.
The West Indies are still a good side and we will have to play to our best to beat them. England consistently show they are capable of beating any side, the problem has been putting five good performances together in a series.
I think everyone would agree Gough, Caddick and Headley will start the Test series as the three main bowlers but it is my intention to put them under pressure and make the selectors' job as hard as possible.
The West Indies is the most enjoyable place I have toured. The cricket is hard but the people there love the game and the crowds create a carnival atmosphere that is great to play in front of.
It has been mentioned that I have a role to do working with the other bowlers. This is something I'm delighted to do. To win we will have to bowl well as a unit, which means we have to work together and help each other. If I can help the others in any way I will be more than happy. Yes, we are competing for the same places but the most important thing is that the team win.
In the last week I have gone through a wide range of emotions, initially the worry, then the joy followed by the chaos of once again being in demand. These, however, do not last long. In January I have a job to do. It is now that the hard work begins.