James Bruce is ready to peak for Hampshire this summer.
The 27-year-old took eight wickets in the two one-day games he played on Hampshire's recent tour of South Africa and, with Chris Tremlett and Stuart Clark both likely to miss the start of the season, he is ready to build on an impressive first full season in Paul Terry's first team.
Tremlett is still recovering from the back injury he suffered during England's Commonwealth Bank Series, while Clark is likely to be with Australia's one-day squad for the duration of the World Cup, which does not end until April 28.
It all means that Bruce is set to lead the Hampshire attack when the county's season begins with a Friends Provident Trophy match against Middlesex at the Rose Bowl on April 22.
Bruce said: "I felt good in Cape Town, the opposition wasn't the best but I bowled with rhythm, my fitness levels were good and I'm ready to crank it up in a competitive match.
"I'm desperately keen to be involved in the first game. I'm bored of training and practice, I'm ready to get out there."
For full story see today's Daily Echo.
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