Michael Brown aims to follow the example set by Leicestershire's John Maunders, his former Middlesex second XI roommate - and establish himself as an opening batsman.

Hampshire new boy Brown opened the batting with John Maunders, 23, for four years before Middlesex released the left hander at the end of the 2002 season.

And Middlesex-born Maunders' form since leaving Lord's 18 months ago - he has established himself at the top of Leicestershire's batting order after scoring 777 runs at 38.85 last year, his debut season - has helped give Brown the belief that he can enjoy similar success in his first year at Hampshire.

"It was a case of me or him when he was released by Middlesex," recalled 24-year-old Brown who, unlike Maunders, turned down the offer of a new contract before leaving Middlesex six months ago. "They couldn't justify having two young openers who could do a similar job in the first team.

"John averaged in the mid-20s in the second team, which wasn't to do with a lack of ability, as he's shown since, it was more to do with the lack of motivation that came with not getting a chance.

"He ended up struggling on club wickets and I was doing well at the time, so they plumped for me.

"That was difficult because we roomed together and he was my best mate on the staff.

"He was in a similar situation to me at Middlesex - we both needed first team opportunities and he got his when he joined Leicestershire last year."

Maunders is now one half of Leicestershire's new-look opening partnership - former Essex veteran Darren Robinson is the other.

"All John ever wanted was a chance to show what he could do," added Brown.

"He got disillusioned in his last year at Middlesex, so had four or five second team games at Leicestershire.

"He got a contract but struggled in the first few championship matches - and then got a big hundred against Surrey (171) and another against Kent (129) and didn't look back.

"He's like me - certainly not as flamboyant as Kenners Derek Ken-way. He's more of a back foot player, a solid opening bat who works really hard at his game and enjoys his cricket.

"He's well organised, likes to accumulate rather than blaze the ball to all parts, and is also a good fielder.

"We still speak and text each other regularly, especially when one of us does well.

"He's one of those guys you like to see do well and I hope he gets a lot more runs - but not against us. We could do with getting him out early."