After three years worth of false starts, Tom Helm is determined to finally make his mark on the Middlesex first XI.

The young swing bowler was only aged 18 when he was snapped up by Angus Fraser's men in 2012, but he has since been restricted to just three County Championship and three one-day games.

Things looked promising when the 21 year old was called up for Middlesex's Championship opener against Nottingham back in April, but a cruel injury blow meant Helm's latest opportunity did not last long.

A stress fracture to a bone in his back has kept him sidelined ever since, but after making a comeback of sorts last week and scoring a century in a friendly for his old club Chesham, Helm is ready for finally fulfil his potential.

He said: “Every year since I have been at Middlesex, people have been saying to me that this will be my year, and it's about time I proved them right.

“This is my fourth summer with Middlesex, and I really need to nail a first team place now. It has been a bit of a frustrating time, but I believe I'm good enough.

County man: Helm (fourth from right in back row) with his Mddlesex team-mates

“It hasn't been the summer I'd hoped for after being called up for the first game against Notts, but having had the scan results back, at least it is just a stress fracture to the bone and not a crack.”

The potential is certainly there for the former Misbourne School pupil, having finished with match figures of 5-78 on his first class debut against Yorkshire , and being taken on loan by Gloucestershire last summer when they needed injury cover.

He admits it would be stretching it a bit to describe himself as an all-rounder though, despite scoring 112 from just 69 balls for his former side Chesham last week, in their match against a Bucks CCC select XI.

Helm added: “I had a good old slog out there, and while I'd love to be known as an all-rounder, I'm definitely predominantly a bowler – but I can be a bit of a dark horse with the bat.

“It was great to be back playing for Chesham again, especially seeing Steve Ayres, who played a big part in my career – and to come through injury free was a bonus!”