Carter revels in Indian summer

Neil Carter performed consistently well throughout the summer for Warwickshire and finished the season with 80 wickets

Neil Carter feels experience was the main factor behind his excellent performances throughout the 2010 season.

The Warwickshire all-rounder made significant contributions in all three domestic competitions this summer, finishing top of the FTI MVP rankings.

And as he prepares for a well-deserved break, Carter admits he feels more comfortable with his game than ever before.

“I’ve been around for a while now so I know what I do well,” the popular 35-year-old told ecb.co.uk. “I’ve been able to use that experience.

“It has been tough at times but whenever I had a bad spell I just tried to go back to basics.

“During a season there are always going to be individual games where you do well, but to produce over a long period of time is special.

“I got a little tired during August when I wasn’t taking as many wickets as I would have liked but I just tried to remain patient.

“I also managed to stay fit throughout the season, which was key. I think I only missed five games in the course of the season in all competitions.”

Carter’s season ended on a high as Warwickshire avoided relegation from Division One of the LV= County Championship before defeating Somerset in the final of the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Lord’s.

The Bears won their final seven games across both competitions and Carter feels their strong finish will stand them in good stead going into the 2011 season.

Carter and Warwickshire finished the campaign on a high with victory over Somerset in the Clydesdale Bank 40 final at Lord's

“We realised around six weeks out that we would have to win at least six of our last seven games if we were to win a trophy and avoid relegation in the championship,” he added.

“We managed to do that which was a massive team effort.

“It would have been a big blow if we had been relegated, but avoiding it has given the guys real momentum and it was great to follow that by winning a trophy.”

Carter is now set to head back to his native South Africa and plans to follow a similar schedule to the previous winter as he gears up for an 11th campaign at Edgbaston.

“I spent last winter in Cape Town and the work I put in there made sure I was ready from ball one of the season,” he explained.

“I’ll be having the same winter this time around. There will be lots of swimming and mountain biking and then I’ll start with the cricket side of things in the new year, working on my batting and bowling.

“Hopefully I can come back refreshed and fit and have another good season next year.”