MICHAEL Coles believes that Wiltshire should not fear anyone as they kick-off their Unicorns Knockout Trophy campaign.

The county host Hertfordshire in Group Four at Warminster on Sunday (11am) in their first competitive game of the season.

After winning the Marlborough Cup last weekend by beating Berkshire by 37 runs in their final warm-up match, captain Coles feels that Wiltshire can begin their one-day campaign in confidence.

“After the Berkshire game, we had some difficult decisions to make because Tahir Afridi, who is a big player for us, was unavailable for that match,” Coles said.

“But the lads who played deserve to keep their place and Tahir misses out.

“While we normally prefer the traditional longer form of the game in the Championship, we are looking forward to the one-day games.”

The county skipper is also relishing facing new teams this season after they were placed in Group Four alongside Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Suffolk, having faced the likes of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Wales in previous years.

“I don’t think that I have played against these for probably four or five years,” said Coles, who plies his trade for Corsham.

“It is good that we get to play some different sides.”

With the season set to begin, Coles says that Wiltshire will attack the 50-over format with a fresh outlook.

“Predominantly in previous years, we have been a lot more comfortable in setting a target and defending it," the skipper said.

“But the game has changed so much over the last 18 months and we have to be philosophical in our approach.

“If we have to go and chase a target, then we shouldn’t worry about that.”

After welcoming Hertfordshire to Sambourne Road on Sunday, Wiltshire travel to Bedfordshire next weekend before then entertaining Suffolk on Sunday May 15.

The county hit the road the following Sunday when they close their Group Four matches with a trip to Buckinghamshire on May 22.

Wiltshire: Michael Coles (Corsham) (capt), Michael Bates (Wokingham) (wk), Steve Bullen (Corsham), Andy Carroll (Westbury), Joe King (Corsham), Jake Lintott (Clevedon), Ashur Morrison (Corsham), Tom Morton (Ealing), Uzi Qureshi (Frocester), Jake Roberts (Potterne), Ed Young (Potterne).