Hampshire director of cricket Tim Tremlett is adamant that Alex Morris still has a part to play next season.

Ed Giddins' arrival and Shane Warne's return has strengthened Hampshire's bowling resources considerably and a fully fit Morris in 2003 would increase competition still further.

The 26-year-old seamer, who took 51 first-class wickets at 28, is out in Australia at the moment, where he is working towards full fitness, having missed most of last season because of the knee injury he sustained in the first game at Kent in April.

Morris, pictured right, has not bowled since - he spent the latter half of last season as a specialist batsman with the second XI.

But he is hopeful of playing grade cricket this winter and director of cricket Tremlett insists that Morris should be fighting for a first team bowling place next April.

He said "Ed still bowls at a good pace, is perfect for English conditions and will help provide the strength in depth we probably missed at the end of last season but Alex is still part of our plans.

"He is out in Sydney at the moment, where Hampshire physio Pat Farhart is working with both him and Charlie Van Der Gucht. Alex has struggled with injuries in recent years but the aim is to get him fit and able to play consistently. He's still very much a part of our plans."

Tremlett is also keeping tabs on the rest of the Hampshire staff from his office at the Rose Bowl, including son Chris, who is undergoing rehabilitation at the England Academy for a stress fracture of the metatarsal bone in his left foot.

"Chris isn't actually bowling but he's working on his action in Adelaide. We had a nice e-mail from Rod Marsh last week which kept us updated.

"Derek Kenway is playing a level below grade cricket in Perth and scored 80 at the weekend. He is spending the rest if his time out there with Paul Terry at the AusAcademy.

"Alan Mullally and Dimi Mascarenhas are also out there. Alan is receiving specialist treatment on the rib injuries and side strains that he had at the end of last season and Dimi is bowling well for Melville, he has taken a couple of four wicket hauls recently."

Robin Smith reckons Ed Giddins' arrival at Hampshire is a considerable boost to the county's hopes of winning a one day competition next year.

Giddins has 465 first class wickets at a coast of 28 runs each but he was restricted to playing just six championship games for Surrey last season.

He took 19 wickets at an average of 19 but it was in the National League where he was at his best for Surrey in 2002. Last season he took 30 wickets, including two against Hampshire Hawks, at a cost of less than 15 runs each as Surrey Lions won promotion to Division One.

Smith said: "Ed Giddins is a top performer. He gets movement and will be very good for us in the championship but he's an excellent one day bowler, a great signing."