HAMPSHIRE begin their build-up to the Middleton Cup campaign with a friendly against Wiltshire at Atherley on Sunday, May 14 (2pm).

Team manager Rod Rosier, who staged a trial at the end of last season, has selected six rinks and has asked another nine bowlers to attend but whether all are available for the match - or the season for that matter - will not be known until nearer the fixture.

For starters, Peter Ward has still to decide if he wants to resurrect his Middleton Cup career while Russell Morgan is on holiday and will give his answer about a return when he comes home.

Of the nine extras requested to attend Matthew Marchant and Bill Ward are believed to be giving outdoor bowls a miss this summer.

One newcomer in the starting line-up is John Thomas who played for skip Peter Ward in the Ringwood side that carried off the Hampshire triples' championship last season.

After the Wiltshire game Hampshire have their final warm-up match against Dorset at Broadstone, Poole, on May 21 (2pm) before Rosier names his team for the Middleton Cup opener against Berkshire at Suttons, Reading, on Saturday, June 3.