Chris Tremlett is back to help Hants begin their defence of the C&G Trophy tomorrow.

The fast bowler missed the rain-affected championship opener against Lancashire at Old Trafford - abandoned as a draw yesterday - with a suspected cyst on the side of his right knee.

The 24-year-old also missed out on England's winter tours of Pakistan and India because of injury, but he took three wickets in the second XI's one-day win against Sussex at the Rose Bowl this week and is now ready to face Ireland in Dublin in the C&G Trophy.

It will be Hampshire's first game in the competition since beating Warwickshire in last September's final at Lord's.

Tremlett said: "Winning my first trophy with Hants was one of the highlights of my career and we need to start with a win tomorrow.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for a four-day game but the ball came out at a good pace on Wednesday so I'm positive about playing against Ireland, especially as I got 40-odd with the bat as well.

"The knee's still a bit sore but once I was warmed up I was fine - and getting a couple of early wickets helped as well."

Ireland hope to field Pakistan duo Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq, their two overseas players signed for the C&G Trophy.

But there are doubts over the availability of Afridi, one of the most explosive batsmen in international cricket, for Hampshire's visit.

Afridi was due to join his Ireland teammates yesterday but instead flew back to Pakistan from Abu Dhabi, where he was playing for his country against India, due to an illness to his daughter.

The Irish Cricket Union are still hopeful Afridi will play in the Sky-televised clash.