Woakes at the IPL

Welcome to my first blog from the IPL - I am really excited about my time out here with Delhi Capitals and I'll be keeping in touch with you back home every week.

As I write this I am in Mumbai in a situation which is very much part of international cricket at the moment - quarantine! I am in my hotel room and can't leave it for six days.

I just can't wait to join up with the Delhi squad. It has been a frustrating winter for me, having not been selected for any of the games for England in Sri Lanka and India, so I am absolutely raring to go and try to help bring some success to the Capitals.

I owe them some good performances. I signed for Delhi last year but ended up not coming because I wanted to spend some time with the family, and they have stayed loyal to me which is fantastic for a playe. Now I want to repay them with some good performances on the field.

Looking at the Delhi squad, with a lot of fantastic India players, it is hard not to feel very excited about what the tournament could bring and I am really looking forward to the privilege of working under head coach Ricky Ponting. He is one of the all-time greats and you can only learn from a legend like him.

First up, though, a couple more days in isolation! I had a Covid test yesterday which was negative and will have another before I leave isolation and hopefully that will be the same and then it will down to training,

I can't wait. After such a frustrating winter, spending so much time away from my family but playing no cricket, I have never been more eager to get out on to a cricket field and play.