JIMMY ADAMS is set to play his first National League game in two years as the Hampshire Hawks try their SIXTH opening partnership of the season.

Left-hander Adams made his debut under lights against tonight's opponents Surrey at the Oval in 2002.

He did not play in the competition as Hampshire won promotion last year, but is likely to make his fourth one-day appearance for his home county tonight (4.10pm).

Manager Paul Terry has dropped Michael Brown and Derek Kenway following last week's seven-wicket defeat against top-of-the-table Glamorgan in Cardiff.

So Adams and James Hamblin are likely to be given the chance to establish a new look left/right hand opening partnership.

Hampshire have rarely been given a flying start by their openers in the totesport in 2004 - five times in 10 matches the first wicket has tumbled with less than five runs on the board.

Terry said: "We need to do something about the opening partnership because we're struggling in that area at the moment.

"We really need to get some better starts and Jimmy and Hambo have both opened together in the second team before."

Adams scored 28 runs at 9.33 in his three National League appearances against Surrey, Middlesex and Sussex two years ago.

But he did not open in any of them. Instead he batted at six on his debut, then at three and at four.

Tonight he will play his first National League game at the top of the order and his first since former Hampshire opener Terry's arrival as manager 18 months ago.

Adams said: "I haven't had a chance to play one day cricket for the first team since those games a couple of years ago, when I struggled a bit.

"I always remember having to face Mushtaq Ahmed on a turning wicket under lights at the Oval - that was a real experience.

"But I've learnt more about one day cricket since then and this time I've got the chance to open where I've played some of my one day stuff for the seconds in the past.

"And I always enjoy opening with Hambo, he hits the ball cleanly and plays very aggressively, which makes life easier for me."

Two of Adams's three National League appearances were Sky televised and under lights - a 70-run defeat against Surrey on his debut and a seven-wicket loss against Sussex at Hove.

"These games get the adrenaline going but can be quite daunting at times," he said.

"Most of my teammates are more used to playing in front of big crowds but you have to raise your game and keep yourself relaxed - I try and take plenty of deep breaths."

Hamblin will be playing his first totesport National League match since Hampshire's last home win in the competition - against Warwickshire more than two months ago.

Since then Hampshire have only won one of their five games. They travelled to Cardiff last week harbouring outside hopes of a late bid for the title, but now they are just four points off slipping into the relegation zone - and third-from-bottom Kent have a game in hand.

Hampshire (from): Hamblin, Adams, Crawley, Clarke, Lamb, Kendall, Pothas, Mascarenhas, Warne, Udal, Taylor, Mullally.