PETER Ward this week gave the thumbs up to Rod Rosier about resuming his Middleton Cup career.

After ruling himself out of the inter-county championship in the past couple of seasons because of business commitments Ward said: "I will give it a go. I think it would be of benefit to play this year - and not just for me because Hampshire should benefit too with several other bowlers coming back and Adam Tidby joining us."

Had his call-up for the England trial later this month influenced his decision? "Not really - I spoke to a selector and said I was looking to play Middleton Cup and he replied that it was not essential and that there were others in the trial who were not playing in it either."

Another factor that Ward - a chartered accountant - took into consideration was the fact that Hampshire's two away games in their qualifying group are reasonably short trips to Reading (for Berkshire) and to Ruislip (for Middlesex).

Ward will make his Hampshire return in the friendly against Wiltshire at Atherley on Sunday, May 14, much to the delight of team manager Rosier.

Ward skips a rink that includes another 'comeback kid' in his Sports Centre teammate Graham Standley at number three as well as his Ringwood colleague John Thomas who will be making his county debut at lead.

Ward - a member of both clubs - is delighted that Thomas has been included and thinks he fully deserves his chance after playing so well in the Ringwood side that carried off the Hampshire triples' championship last summer.

"Having played Middleton Cup in the past I know what standard is expected. Based on his displays last year John showed that standard last year and fully deserves his opportunity."

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 on Saturday, June 3.

Ward will continue to divide his season between Ringwood and Sports Centre. He will play Southampton and District BA matches for Sports Centre midweek but will be with Ringwood for Bournemouth and District BA matches on Saturdays as well as Top Club and some New Forest League dates.