ROB Franks still cannot quite comprehend that he is an international cricket captain.

The Parkstone-based 36-year-old was recently made England disability skipper in his third outing for the national side.

The honour of being handed the role was not lost on Franks, who several years ago could not have foreseen such a scenario.

Franks told the Daily Echo: "In December 2012, I had a routine X-ray on my knee due to an injury but the doctors found a shadow on my left distal femur.

"I underwent surgery to have a tumour removed but it returned 12 months later. This time, the operation wasn't successful and as a result I lost all feeling in my left leg.

"In July last year, while playing for the Dorset disability side, I played a shot and my leg snapped where it had been operated on. I then had to have more major surgery to have an internal fixator put in."

Franks, who lives with wife Carla and sons Ollie, nine, and Harry, four, has been playing cricket for three decades.

While he is a keen member of Poole's Saturday side and the captain of both Dorset disability and Corfe Mullen's midweek team, Franks's England captaincy call topped the lot.

The Frome-raised man, capped for the first time last year, led England against Wales in a T20 clash at Old Trafford.

Although England ultimately suffered a 22-run defeat having bowled their opponents out for 87, Franks was still proud as punch.

He added: "When I was phoned by the England manager to inform me that I had been selected as captain, you could have scraped me off the floor!

"It was disappointing to lose as we had given ourselves a good chance to win and that would have rounded off a perfect weekend – but it wasn't to be.

"Nevertheless, to be chosen to captain my country is an honour I'll always cherish. It also meant so much to my family, especially my son Harry, who told everyone at his pre-school!

"When I tell people that I have represented my country, I think people are shocked and to be honest I'm still a little shocked myself."

Still ambitious to achieve further, Franks is keen for Dorset to make an impression on the county scene this year.

"I feel that Dorset have a huge chance to stake a claim in the county championship," he said.

"We have a strong team with both bat and ball and I think we actually have our strongest team to date."

SM Cricket-sponsored Franks is also due to begin his professional coaching badges in October.