ROBIN SMITH will lead a new look Hampshire cricket in Division One of the Frizzell County Championship next week, declaring: "We can win a trophy this year."

Smith considered giving up the captaincy at The Rose Bowl after relegation two summers ago.

But at 38-years-old, he is still hungry for success and confident that he can lead Hampshire to a first one day trophy since the Benson and Hedges Cup triumph a decade ago.

With the opening fixture at Kent nine days away, Smith said: "I'm very privileged and proud to lead out Hampshire Cricket and as captain I genuinely believe that we can win something this year and put in a serious challenge for the county Championship. I'll be disappointed if we don't.

"We weren't that disappoint-ed not to get promotion in the Norwich Union league last year but we will be if we don't go up in that competiton as well this year.

"If we all play at our best there is no reason why we can't win something. We've got a fantastic bunch of lads and want to become one of the top six sides in the country.

"It's a big year for all of us and we're thoroughly looking forward to it.

"We've signed John Crawley and Nic Pothas and there is a definite improvement in the squad as a whole.

"John provides sheer batting class and I'll be surprised if he does not finish the season as our top scorer.

"He's been England's most consistent scorer over the last ten years and I expect to see him back in an England blazer in the next couple of years.

"I don't know Nic as well but if his wicketkeeping is as good as I've seen him bat, he should be playing for South Africa."

Smith's ton against the Australians last year was the highlight of a summer that saw the former England star score a disappointing 598 runs in first class cricket at 24.

But Smith is only 199 runs short of joining the 25,000 club and is eager for battle.

"This year I'm really up for it," he added, refreshed at the visionary outlook of chairman Rod Bransgrove and the new chief executive Graham Walker.

"As you get older you realise that it won't last forever and that you're a long time retired.

"I won't have one regret when I give up.

"I mentioned giving up the captaincy because I wasn't as focused as I was but this year we have restructured every-thing and I am more focused on my own game.

"The last thing I'd want to do is overstay my welcome. If it gets to the stage where I'm embarrassing myself I'll know that it's time to give up, but I thoroughly love the game still."