JOSH Mierkalns is due to celebrate his 25th birthday a week today, but there have been times in the last couple of years the former Notts CCC player feared he might not live to see that occasion.

The Nottingham-born right-handed batsman made his county second XI debut in 2003 and went on to play one first-class game in 2006, making 18 against West Indies A.

He also played for the green and golds in three limited overs games, two of them Twenty20 matches.

But just one year after being released by the county in July 2007, Mierkalns was forced to turn his attentions from fighting for a place in the Notts first team to fighting for his life.

He was diagnosed with chronic ulcerative colitis, a rare condition which affects the large intestine.

The case was so severe that two weeks later, Mierkalns was undergoing an emergency, life-saving operation to remove part of his bowel.

He hoped two more operations would eventually cure his problems and rid him of excruciating pain.

But a host of complications mean, two years on, Mierkalns has been under the surgeon's knife six times without being cured.

He also suffered from gout in his foot early this year as a knock-on effect of his treatment.

"I didn't eat for two weeks and I had two-and-a-half weeks in the City Hospital," said Mierkalns.

"It came to a point that if they'd had waited a day longer, then I would have been too weak to get through that first major operation that I needed.

"It was a shock because it all happened so quickly in a matter of months. You usually get smaller cases, but this didn't build up, it happened so quickly."

Despite his ongoing battle, Mierkalns, of Mapperley, has always remained determined to pursue his cricket.

Sidelined for much of this season, he recently returned to the Caythorpe CC first team to crash 75 not out against Notts Academy in the Notts Premier League.

Mierkalns added: "I went through a lot last year and this year has probably been even worse. When you can't even walk you just get depressed and low.

"I have been in and out of hospital for operations, but I've just been trying to get fit when I can and I feel as good now as I have for a while.

"They are having another look at it in December and if it goes well then, I might be able to get it fixed for good.

"But at least I can play cricket at the moment. I can't keep away from that – I love it."

It's typical of Mierkalns that already he is looking to pay back those who have helped him out in difficult times.

The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), through their benevolent fund, have supported him every step of the way.

Now he has helped organise a fund-raiser in support of them at Caythorpe on Sunday (3pm), which will feature a Twenty20 match between Notts Premier League All Stars and PCA Masters teams.

"The PCA have been very supportive in the last two years. They look after players who are in need of a bit of help," said Mierkalns.

"They looked after me financially while I wasn't well enough to earn a living and helped with my hospital bills when I was too ill to work.

"Now I'm trying to give something back. And I want it to be a pretty, hard competitive game as well!"

Among the PCA Masters side are expected to be Alex Tudor, Darren Bicknell, Paul Franks, Chris Read, David Lucas, Jason Gallian, Andre Adams, Lou Vincent and Saqlain Mushtaq.

The Notts Premier side is set to include Guy Welton, Rob Sutton, Dan Mierkalns, Luke Fletcher and John Terry.

Former umpire and ex-Notts player Basher Hassan will help officiate the match.

Mierkalns is looking forward to the big day and, he hopes in the near future, to returning to some form of normality.

He said: "I'm taking each day as it comes, which is all you can do.

"It certainly makes you appreciate things, even just the normal things like going for a walk, going to work or meeting your mates in the pub.

"I still have the intention of playing professional cricket when I get back to full fitness. I still have the talent to score runs."

Having defeated the odds several times already, you certainly wouldn't bet against it.