00:01Ben, week away from the start of the season here against Essex.
00:04Obviously an exciting time of the year, but yeah, looking forward to it all?
00:07Yeah, really looking forward to it.
00:08We've got through a large part of pre-season now, so yeah,
00:12everyone in the squad's ready to go.
00:13And I think, if we're being honest, we'd just like to be there now.
00:15We've got loads of prep under our belts, one more game to go,
00:18and then, yeah, we're there.
00:19Pre-season's gone well then? Sort of got everything out of it you want?
00:22Yeah, I think so. Yeah, yeah, I'm sure.
00:24Like, so far everything's gone well.
00:26We had a great trip to Delhi for the batting group,
00:28and then over to Stellenbosch as a main group, which was really, really good.
00:32We were very lucky to have that trip.
00:34And we've come back and got through, yeah, the first two games have gone really well,
00:38so I'd say one more to go and we're there.
00:40And thoughts on Essex? Obviously a good test to start with.
00:42Obviously pleased to be at home, I presume, but they're obviously always a good outfit, aren't they?
00:46They are, yeah. It's always great to be at home first game.
00:48I think we're first and last, which is always, yeah, really great.
00:51But I think every game you play in this division is so strong.
00:54It really is.
00:55So I don't think you see a fixture and think anybody's weak.
00:58Essex always a good side.
01:00They've got a good attack, a good side in general.
01:02So, yeah, it will be a tough start, but you kind of expect that in this division now.
01:07Well, so Hampshire has sort of traditionally, for a few years,
01:10were sort of pushing towards the top end for the title.
01:12Last year, obviously, not quite so much.
01:14Presumably this year the Ames sort of tried to get back up there, presumably.
01:16Yeah, of course.
01:17We had a big reality check where we were last year.
01:20We've had to go back to drawing board, start again.
01:22And we as players, we need to improve, and we know that.
01:25We're under fresh leadership this year.
01:27And, you know, hopefully we can look up the table.
01:28We don't want to be, you know, in that drama again at the bottom.
01:31But you can't take anything for granted in this division, let's say.
01:33They're top teams everywhere.
01:35Good teams will go down and a good team will win it.
01:37So, you know, we've got to make sure at the right end of that.
01:39And Russell Domingo in as new coach.
01:41Sort of, yeah, have you found him settling well with the group?
01:44Great.
01:44We're really lucky to have him as the head coach.
01:46All the experience, the teams he's worked with, the players he's worked with,
01:50will bring fantastic experience.
01:52And also fresh eyes on the group, which I think is really important
01:55to come in and give us that fresh start.
01:57And all the new sort of faces sort of bedded in well so far?
02:00Yeah, so far.
02:01Yeah, we've got a couple more to come in.
02:03Jake Lehman's playing in a final now.
02:05So, yeah, hopefully he goes well in that and he joins the group as well.
02:08So, no, yeah, everyone's settled in.
02:10So far, so good.
02:11And hopefully keep as many bodies fit over the next few weeks as we can.
02:15Yeah.
02:15And obviously April, May, obviously it's always pretty relentless, isn't it?
02:18Lots of games.
02:19So if you keep everyone fit and obviously get yourself off to that good start,
02:22it will really set you up, won't it?
02:23Yeah, exactly.
02:23You need a bit of luck with that, as I say.
02:25There's so many games, but hopefully, particularly in the bowling stocks,
02:27we can get as many fit bodies as we can.
02:30And then we can hopefully rotate the guys, especially those guys that have pace,
02:33which we have, which is exciting, but obviously it needs to be rested as well.
02:36Yeah.
02:37And obviously, you know, taking 20 wickets, obviously key,
02:40but plenty of options in that bowling attack.
02:42It's sort of fair to keep them all fit, but plenty of options there.
02:44Definitely.
02:45That's the key.
02:46You need bodies to do well in the championship.
02:49You really do.
02:49I think if we can have as many fit, that means we can give the guys the appropriate rest,
02:53particularly those young seamers.
02:55It's not easy to play seven out of eight weeks.
02:57So, yeah, hopefully the body's on the pitch and we'll need that squad definitely.
03:02And a good sort of mix in the group, really.
03:04You know, those sort of senior pros and those younger players coming through,
03:07obviously with high sort of growth potential as well.
03:09A real nice balance there.
03:10Yeah, definitely.
03:11Some really bright players here.
03:13You know, that younger end of the squad, it's really exciting.
03:15I think some of them are another year on now as well.
03:17So that showed in pre-season.
03:19They look another year towards where they want to be.
03:22And then obviously, you know, you've got Ben Mayes and Manny had fantastic.
03:25Manny Lumsden had fantastic under-19 World Cups as well beneath that age group.
03:29So, yeah, there's lots to be excited about.
03:32And obviously full focus so much on the championship to start.
03:34But then obviously late in the season, the T20 and the one-day cup.
03:37Hampshire have traditionally done well in those tournaments.
03:40You know, got to finals days, won finals days, done well in the one-day cup as well.
03:43So when they come round, obviously you'll be looking to keep going well in those.
03:47I think there's great history, isn't there?
03:49As you mentioned, the white ball stuff.
03:51And even last year, we had a big year of transition and lots going on.
03:55And, you know, still two white ball finals, which you're disappointed.
03:57Obviously couldn't get over the line.
03:58But yeah, as I say, fantastic history in those comms.
04:01And we look to be strong again.
04:03And for yourself, feeling in a good place of heading into the season and looking forward to it all?
04:06Yeah, yeah, really excited.
04:08Yeah, feeling fit and ready to go.
04:09So I can't wait.
04:10And just a message to the supporters.
04:12Obviously looking forward to getting back here and watching their cricket.
04:14But yeah, a message for them.
04:15Yeah, 100% looking forward to seeing everyone back at the ground.
04:18And yeah, hopefully we'll give you less drama than last year.
04:20Or if we do have drama, hopefully it's a bit more positive.
04:23And hopefully everyone's recovered from the end of last season.
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