Henry Davids thought he would only be out for a few days with an infection to his salivary glands, but the Multiply Titans veteran has been missing in action for a month now.

“I thought I would be in hospital for two days, then be back. Suddenly it was a week, and things got  lot more serious,” he said this week, ahead of a return to action in the CSA T20 Challenge.

“As cricketers we are used to being out for short periods, but not playing for that long really made me appreciate even more what we do,” a philosophical Davids explained.

He has had to watch the Titans through the e tire Momentum One-day Cup success, sitting on the sidelines.

“It gives you a whole new perspective, watching from the side. I must say, the boys have been great, sending messages and coming to see me. But I’ve really missed being part of this team.”

Davids is back now, as he sets his sights on the final trophy of what has been a long season.

The fixtures will come thick and fast in the T20 tournament, and he admits that he has had to shake off some rust.

“I’ve been working hard with the strengthening coach, just to get back to where I was physically.”

Davids lost 6kg through the illness and hospitalisation, and he is chomping at the bit to get bat on ball again.

“I had a good hit in the middle with the lads, and I’m really looking forward to this tournament. I still feel that I have a lot to give the Titans, and this tournament will be a great way to get back into the swing of things,” he said excitedly.

The Titans kick of their campaign tonight, when they meet the Warriors in the opening game of the T20 Challenge.

Multiply Titans squad to face the Warriors (from): Farhaan Behardien (c) Matthew Arnold, Junior Dala, Theunis de Bruyn, Tony de Zorzi, Henry Davids, Donovan Ferreira, Eldred Hawken, Rubin Hermann, Gregory Mahlokwana, Tshepo Moreki, Diego Rosier, Grant Thomson, Shaun von Berg