Hampshire Optimistic for Domestic Season

The pre-season lunch was a compelling success as corporate staff were treated to drinks, fine cuisine and a question and answer session with Team Manager Giles White, bowler Billy Taylor and Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett.

White commented on various issues including the advice and guidance given to him by Duncan Fletcher in the recent preseason tour to South Africa. He said, “Fletcher’s appointment is fantastic, he adds a lot to the table. He has spoken about many things; one of them was the use of reverse swing and how to use it effectively.

“Duncan also spoke how Nic (Pothas) and I should interact with each other as he says that the relationship between the coach and captain is vital especially with Nic being our captain until (Dimi) Mascarenhas returns from international duty later on in the season. Fletcher will also be back in July to help us out for the last part of the season.”

Questioned whether his team have enough quality to be successful in all forms of the game, White replied, “We have a strong squad that can be successful in all formats. I want to win something this year and we are very capable of doing that in any of the formats. We have a slight advantage in the LVCC County Championship as Imran Tahir will be able to bowl as many overs as he possibly can rather than being restricted in the Pro40 and Twenty20 competitions.”

White also singled out Nottinghamshire and Durham as two counties that will really challenge Hampshire. He said, “Notts and Durham are two strong teams this year but I feel injuries and international call-ups will play a huge part this season’s outcome.”

But Hampshire will be in the thick of the action as White is adamant that his side can continue the good form that served them well at the end of last season. He said, “There is a buzz in the place and everyone is extremely excited for the season to begin. We have a good squad and we will do well, especially if we can continue our form from the second half of last season.”

Like White, Tim Tremlett was in optimistic mood for the upcoming season as he is convinced this will be a good one for Hampshire Cricket. He said, “We have a realistic chance of winning something this year. We have a few players back that were absent last year, John Crawley missed the last part of the season due to injury and he will be back to do well. The major downfall would be that Dimi (Mascarenhas) will be missing as he will on duty for England for the forthcoming Twenty20 and One Day Internationals.”

He is also happy with how the preseason has gone, “We have had good preparation for the season, we went unbeaten in South Africa, and we have won one and lost one against Glamorgan in the friendlies.”

Billy Taylor also reiterated what his coach had said, “We want to win something this year. The team is in good spirit and we are in a very good shape physically. We are all ultra competitive going into the new season.”