THE captain of England is out first ball! Essex, chasing a target of 125, are very soon 24-4. This was the scene at Bristol on June 23.

James Fuller, bowling with speed and hostility, totally defeated Alastair Cook. A tentative prod was no match for an outstanding delivery. James took two more wickets as Essex seemed in danger of subsiding.

It was so different three days later. Gloucestershire had controlled the T20 game against Sussex. It was the 19th over and Sussex needed 43 runs to win; 12 balls remained. Fuller, the conqueror of Cook, was surely the man to wrap up a Gloucestershire win as he started the over. Disaster followed. The over, which included two no balls, yielded 34 runs. The game was lost.

Next morning at The Oval (more wretched match scheduling), James was bowling again. His opening spell of six overs yielded just three runs. He was back in control. The wretched Bristol over was behind him.

Of course, it is not that simple. The disastrous over cost us the two points for victory and made the chances of qualifying for the lucrative final stages of the competition very difficult.

Last year in the T20, an ECB-imposed penalty (a poor Cheltenham pitch) held us back. This year it is the inconsistency of our players which has cost us more than the two-point fine.

It has been a problem in the county championship as well. We are not talking ability here but something more important – PERFORMANCE.

Chris Dent started the season in prolific form; now he cannot buy a run. The promising Will Tavare is suffering from second-season syndrome. David Payne’s in-and-out form as a bowler shows that inconsistency occurs throughout the team. True ability is determined by good performances day-in day-out. Our players come to the Cheltenham Festival with much to prove.

A visit to Fairford CC helped. On Saturday they played Sheepscombe and, being vice president of both clubs, there was only one place to go. Graciously invited to join the players for tea, I was able to enjoy the best cricket tea I have experienced for years.

There is much to praise the Park Street club for and the quality of their teas is yet another. Both clubs are very much part of the community, offering coaching for all age ranges and both sexes.

The game was a high-scoring affair, cheerfully contested. Some local clubs are struggling but not these two. They offer so much to all, irrespective of ability, and are an asset to the county league.

Fairford featured again this weekend as I headed into London. There is a big poster in Chiswick advertising the Air Tattoo , on which Fairford is described as being near Swindon. There is no mention of Cirencester or the Cotswolds; the poster’s accuracy is not in doubt, but Fairford’s spiritual home is surely nowhere near our Wiltshire neighbour.

I can imagine many people regarding The Oval as their spiritual home. It is a wonderful cricket ground. Everywhere you go there are pictures or memorabilia that reflect its proud history as a Test match ground and the home of Surrey County Cricket Club.

There is so much to see, whether you are there for cricket or a close-season function.

By comparison, the Bristol Pavilion, although well appointed, seems more like the Filton Hilton. We have a proud cricket history in Gloucestershire and we should not be afraid to display it.

It is going to take a fine rearguard action to save our current game at The Oval as our batsmen are failing again. Ironically, the chief Surrey hit man is Tom Curran, son of our former player Kevin.

After the T20 game at The Oval on Wednesday, which is on TV, our players have a week to regroup before Cheltenham. Ever the optimist, Mrs Light is telling me all will be well. I wish I and the players had her confidence.

Cirencester CC have the necessary confidence. Electronic wonders bring me all the county results and their firsts' 100 per cent record is still intact, Frampton-on-Severn being easily defeated.

The restructuring of cricket within the county makes it crucial they win the league. All will be different in 2016 with much-needed changes being made. With an evolving team and improved facilities, the town club are in a position to make considerable strides. Hooray! I am finishing on a topic that cheers me up!