Torture for Tudor

"But I definitely want to play for England again and if I didn't think I could I don't know what I would do."

Tudor has been an easy target in the past for those people frustrated by England's failure to turn obvious talent into world-beating talent. This is the man, remember, who made 99 not out in a Test against New Zealand five years ago and at one stage looked as though he might develop into a genuinely quick bowler.

Since then, though, Tudor has been beset by injuries and slowly faded from the international picture with just 10 Test caps plus three one-day international appearances behind him.

Last season he managed only six championship games for Surrey, first because of knee trouble and then as a result of the side problem that continues to restrict him now.

"It's been very frustrating and I've felt very down at times," said Tudor. "But my girlfriend, my family and all the people who are helping me have been great in keeping me going.

"Everyone just wants to see me back playing for Surrey again. And now, slowly, I think I'm getting there.

"I'm bowling off a couple of paces at the moment but hopefully I'll be able to step that up soon. I'm doing a lot of work with my fitness trainer and also working with Geoff Arnold (Surrey's bowling coach) on remodelling my action a bit."

Tudor thought he had put last season's problem behind him after a winter of careful preparation. But then he broke down again during Surrey's friendly against Oxford University in April.

Tudor said: "It took a while to find out what was wrong. But basically it's a muscular problem on my lower left side and it just feels like it's cramping up. Still, at least I know it's not structural or a bone problem and can be solved."

And, also on the plus side, inactivity with the ball has forced Tudor to work, like never before, on improving his batting. With second XI coach Alan Butcher encouraging him, he has not only taken the No3 spot but also scored back-to-back hundreds - against Hampshire and Durham - plus several half-centuries.

"You have to try to take the positives out of every situation - and that's one," said Tudor.

"I've always known I could bat and hopefully when I do get back into the first team I can be a genuine all-rounder.

"I'm desperate to help Surrey get out of this (relegation-threatened) peculiar position in which we find ourselves in both leagues."

And what about England?

"I've still got big aspirations," he said. "Yes, I have been down in the dumps at time but I've never wondered whether my career might be over. When I do get back playing for Surrey I know I will have a lot to prove because the fitness issue will always come up.

"But I believe I've still got loads of years left in me."