Hampshire bowler fired up and full of hope for the new year
Chris Tremlett believes Hampshire can pick up where they left off at the end of last season and challenge for titles in 2009.
Preparations for the new campaign are underway with the South Coast side set for a pre-season tour of South Africa in March.
With Pakistan leg-spinner Imran Tahir in their bowling attack, Hampshire went on to finish third in the County Championship's top division in 2008 and Tremlett is confident of carrying that form into the new season.
"I think last year we proved that we were fighters and we came back strong at the end of the year," Tremlett said.
"A huge part of that was due to Imran. I think we've got Imran coming in June so we've got him for the end of the season and if he can take as many wickets as he did last year we've certainly got a good chance of challenging for the title.
"We've got a great amount of one-day players too. We've just signed Dominic Cork who is a great one-day cricketer as well so I think we stand a good chance of winning some titles.
"We've been so close in the last few years but if we work that bit harder then hopefully we'll be crowned champions next year."
Tremlett is working hard on improving his bowling technique meanwhile, as he looks to add to his 13 England caps.
"At the moment I'm changing my bowling action," he added. "I still think my action can be a little bit more economical, obviously using my height, and I want to try to bowl a little bit quicker.
"If I can get to that I don't think there's going to be anything stopping me from playing for England.
"The plan is to work hard now to start with a bang in April for Hampshire and hopefully get on the selectors' backs to push for an Ashes place."
