The homegrown trio of James Bruce, James Tomlinson and Billy Taylor is likely to form Hampshire's seam attack against Surrey at the Oval this week as the county begin a championship campaign they hope will end in a first title since 1973.

Bruce, Tomlinson and Taylor all played for Hampshire at junior level and with Stuart Clark likely to be available for just six weeks of the season - from May 7-June 20 - much will depend on them if the county are to lift the championship for the third time.

Shane Warne knows all about Bruce - he rates him as "just about our best pace bowler over the last couple of seasons" - and the yeoman-like qualities of Taylor.

Now the back injury suffered by Chris Tremlett (lest we forget, another homegrown talent) has given Tomlinson the chance to start the season as Bruce's new-ball partner.

Warne said: "I haven't seen much of James but he's impressed early on. He's always been there or thereabouts, it's just been a question of confidence to play consistently in the first team.

"Alan Mullally did a wonderful job for Hampshire and Tommo can also offer that left-arm variation."

Southampton-born Taylor enjoyed a championship-winning spell with Sussex in 2003 before returning to his home county, while Bruce and Tomlinson played at UCCE level for Durham and Cardiff respectively.

Bruce took 38 championship wickets last season but Tomlinson, 24, is preparing to make his 14th championship appearance - but only his third since 2003.

Dimitri Mascarenhas missed the Friends Provident Trophy win against Middlesex with an ankle/heel injury but has been included in a squad of 13 for the championship opener.

Opener Michael Brown has also been added to the side that beat Middlesex in the absence of Michael Carberry.

Hampshire are confident that Sean Ervine (shin) will be available to play against Essex at Chelmsford on Sunday.

Hampshire (from): Adams, Crawley, Benham, Lumb, Pothas, Lamb, Brown, Mascarenhas, Warne, Bruce, Tomlinson, Taylor, Udal.