GETTING bowled out for 167 having been 41-0, as we were on the last day against Middlesex at Scarborough last week, is not what we're about at Yorkshire. And going forward, it won't be what we're about.

But Middlesex played really well on that last day. Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones took the game away from us in the first session with the bat and they put us on the back foot.

We could have reacted a little bit quicker and better but it all sort of happened and we found ourselves in a difficult position.

But regardless of that, we shouldn't be getting bowled out so cheaply with our batting line-up.

There were obviously a couple of dismissals that maybe weren't ideal – but that's the game of cricket. The umpire's there to make a decision. Sometimes it goes with you, sometimes it goes against you.

Other than that, I think we just gave them too many wickets.

Teams have brought their A-game against us and Middlesex, the only side to beat us in the last two and a half seasons, did it again.

They did it when we were on the front foot rather than the back foot as well.

It's been obvious this year that teams have raised their performance against us.

We're back-to-back champions and it's a bit like the situation when Manchester United were winning all those titles.

I still think we have the strength of character to prevail this season, though. All it will take is a few wins and we will be there or thereabouts.

The number of wins for the team that wins the title isn't going to be great as it's been in previous years. It'll be tight all the way and a team that wins a couple of games on the bounce will find themselves in a great position.

Middlesex was disappointing but hopefully it's the kick up the backside we need to make sure we're on it every session.

Our desire and effort was second to none, as per usual, but we weren't quite on it. If that happens, you'll find yourselves on the wrong end of a result in Division One cricket.

We're at the midpoint of the season and we're still in the top half of the table, so we have a decent chance of being somewhere near come the end of September.

We've got some of our England players back for the current match against Surrey at The Oval and it is the ideal time because we can rotate a few lads who have played a lot of cricket recently.

It's a good chance to make sure we have a fit and fresh squad going into the last seven games of the season, while the hope is that the England lads put in a performance and contribute to us having a successful week.

My first-innings 63 at Scarborough was one of the best knocks I've had all season. I feel I've been hitting the ball nicely all summer but that really big score has been eluding me.

But to get runs in two successive Championship games, against Middlesex and Durham before that, has been really pleasing ahead of the second half of the competition.

Somebody else who can take plenty of heart from that game is Will Rhodes, who I thought bowled particularly well for his couple of wickets.

He bowled a good spell just when we needed someone to stand up on the third morning to get George Bailey, who was looking set.

His bowling has come on a lot and the next test for him is to do it consistently. It was a brilliant spell on the third day – but can he do it next week or the week after?

That's the next stage of his development and I strongly believe that he can. So going forward, it's an exciting time for him and us in that regard.

* Alex and sponsors Pennine Business Partners are aiming to Hit Cancer for Six in 2016. They are donating £10 to the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust every time Alex hits a six or takes a catch and are asking cricket lovers everywhere to support this great cause that provides special care and support to young people fighting cancer. Visit the Pennine Business Partners page on Just Giving at https://www.justgiving.com/Pennine-Business-Partners.