It's a shame for all concerned that our eagerly awaited series against South Africa is only going to played over three Tests.
A contest between the highest-ranked sides in world cricket is a fantastic prospect for spectators, but no one will be more excited than the players.
Of course we set out to win every series and every match we play, but there is no getting away from how much is at stake here - not just that No 1 ranking as a team but, for us bowlers, the title of the best pace attack in world cricket.
A quick look at their bowlers shows the size of the task. Dale Steyn has been No 1 in the ICC rankings for some time.
He's quick, he swings the ball, he's accurate and he can bowl all day. He never seems to get tired, never seems to slow down.
Morne Morkel presents a different challenge: with his height he bowls that back-of-a–length area, bringing the ball into the ribs of the right-handers and he's excellent against the lefties as well.
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To me, though, the dark horse could be Vernon Philander, who has had a phenomenal start to his Test career, taking 51 wickets in just seven matches at an average of 14.15.
He's very skilled, can swing the ball, nip it off the seam and looks ideally suited to English conditions.
Some have criticised Somerset for continuing his education by signing him for the early part of the season.
I'm not sure it's going to give him a huge advantage. He's played over here before for Middlesex so he knows the conditions anyway.
Inevitably, given Steyn is rated No 1 and I am currently No 3, apparently, in those ratings, some have talked of a head-to-head.
I do have 'fond' memories of our last meeting, when we were batting out for a draw at Headingley in 2008.
I'd hung around for a bit, he started coming round the wicket at me, and I got hit on the wrist.
The physio and the doctor came out and decided I was OK to carry on.
The next ball was quite quick and I was late getting out of the way, turned my back and it smashed the side of helmet into my jaw.
Impressive: Vernon Philander has started very wellI don't think I lasted much longer after that. But it's a reminder of the difficulty he poses in that he's relatively short, so his bouncer is skiddy and hard to get out the way of.
Hopefully, I can use my experience to play it slightly better next time … in other words: duck.
Steyn has talked about part of his role being to do the talking as well as the bowling - trying to get into the batsman verbally because the fielding side take their lead from that sort of battle.
I also see my job as being to set the tone and, at times, you do need to get in someone's face. But showing aggression doesn't always have to be about words or the odd look at a batsman.
Aggression is key: James Anderson will lead the attack against South AfricaWhen you show aggressiveness with your bowling, accuracy and making the batter play, the fielders are lifted and energised just as much.
I also see that Dale reckons South Africa are already the best team in the world and now just have to prove it.
Well, I do think we've been fortunate to stay at No 1 since we got there.
We didn't play well in the winter and we needed results to go our way, which they did.
What we want to do is not only dominate in England but also win in other countries.
At the moment we are ranked No 1 and that's where we're determined to stay, but until we start winning more away from home there are always going to be questions.
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