Hampshire Academy put their early season confidence firmly to the test in tomorrow's Rose Bowl Nursery Ground meeting with Bashley (Rydal).

The Young Hawks have made a most encouraging start, beating Portsmouth and Alton in their opening games.

None more so than Alton-based left-arm seamer Chris Wood, whose 11 wickets have been a significant factor in the successes.

"Chris is enjoying the fruits of his hard labours in the winter," praised Academy boss Tony Middleton.

"He's a good listener and has worked hard, not only on his strengths, but also his bowling action."

Wood is one of ten teenagers in the Academy side, which is captained by Kevin Latouf.

"We've only got two young pros playing tomorrow, but having Hamza Riazuddin - our England Under-17 all-rounder, back will be handy," Middleton added.

Narrowly beaten by eight runs by Havant last week, Bashley are forced to make one change as bowling all-rounder Paul Cass is injured. Greg Jones takes his place.

Bashley skipper Andy Sexton will tell his players to pay no attention to the youthfulness of the Young Hawks side.

"They've only got two young pros playing, but we saw twice last season that there's a lot of potential in that Academy team.

Poole Grammar School's Richard Armstrong is trialing with the Academy and lines up against his classroom buddy Chris Jones.

Hampshire Academy: Latouf, Dawson, Vince, Riazuddin, Cockram, Armstrong, Rouse, Morgan, Wood, Briggs, Green.

Bashley (Rydal): A.Sexton, Thurgood, Treagus, Chris Jones, Friedman, Neal, Manning, Waller, Nash, King, Greg Jones.

St Cross Symondians expect to have Hampshire opener Jimmy Adams in action against high riding Havant at Havant Park.

Without any county action this week, Adams is anxious to get as much middle practice as he can before Hampshire play Kent at Canterbury next week.

"It's always great to go back and play with the St Cross lads," Adams said.

"They're up for a new challenge in Premier One this season and hopefully I can do a bit to help them at Havant.

"Mind you, it will be a test for me as well because Havant are a very handy side with a more than useful bowling attack, so I'll need to buckle down and work hard for my runs.

Former Cadnam captain Darren Vann has lost his place in the Alton side and has to make do with County Division 1 cricket against Mudeford tomorrow.

Mark Heffernan dons the gloves at Hursley Park, who will want to improve after last week's lean batting display against Portsmouth, where their first seven wickets fell for 35 runs.

Alton: Ballinger, Mike Heffernan, Gadsby, Myers, Hale, Mark Heffernan, Jansen, Oliphant, Morgan, Pang-Kessler, Farooq.