Being chosen as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year is one of the most prestigious awards imaginable.

Even being nominated for consideration alongside some of the great names of the past feels tremendous.

When you think of those who have gone before — players like Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and footballncrickethub.bookmark.com someone I still play alongside in Jimmy Anderson — it was certainly a bit of exciting news.

It has been a great year for me.

If I look back on it, the performance that stands out is the six for 45 I took against Australia at Headingley.

It was my first five-for in my second Test. In the first one at Lord's, people had seen what I was capable of, but this was when I showed I could take wickets on big occasions, I guess, and it was a good all-round game as well.

The Super Over I bowled gets talked about a lot and while it was fine — don't get me wrong, it was a great moment — we played tremendously throughout the World Cup and I don't think I was at my best on the day of the final.

I was OK. I am probably marking myself a bit hard here but I'd had better whole performances in previous games.

Looking back, I guess it has been a job well done for me so far in an England shirt — a pretty decent start for someone who hasn't yet played a full year of international cricket.

People sometimes forget this.

For example, during the recent tour of South Africa, the England team massage therapist Mark Saxby asked me whether I remembered something that had happened the previous winter.

I was like, 'Sax, mate, I only started playing in June'. I guess it's because I have integrated into the team so well and just fit in.

It has only been a few months since my England debut and, although I reckon it has been the case some people have expected too much at times, I would much rather they over-ask of me than under-ask, because my attitude has always been you need something to work towards to be at your best, and you don't push yourself if you're comfortable.

So what can cricket fans expect of me in the future?

I am tempted to say more of the same, but I would like to get better. Even if it's not huge steps, if I can improve on last year I would be very happy. There is obviously a lot more to come.

First up this summer, if we are able to play, are West Indies.

For me, it will be no different to when I faced them in the World Cup. Yes, it's against mates but it's just another game of cricket. There is also the chance to become double world champions at the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia. As a team we are well set for that.
It is still six months away and I just hope we can get out there.

At the moment, I just look forward to playing some form of cricket, because within a week I think I will be full-on crazy.

On Wednesday, I was very tempted to go down from my flat and bowl against the wall in the car park.

Bowling's not something I have done for ages, due to my elbow injury, and something I can't do until I get a scan which, with everything that's going around, might not be easy to arrange.

But I am grateful for the extra rest. It will give it time to heal properly, because if cricket was near I would try to rush myself.