Afternoon everybody. Welcome to my first column for the Gazette&Herald. I'll be here throughout the summer to give you an insight into the life of a professional cricketer and my take at what's going on at Hampshire.
Not bad from a boy from Calne.
We've been together now since the beginning of March for our pre-season training.
We do not get much training time in the summer because we are playing so much so the last month is when we have had to really put it in.
But I love everyday, it's not a bad life going on the running machine for an hour and hitting a ball in the nets.
We didn't manage to get outside until a couple of weeks ago but everyone is really excited about the new season.
One of the reasons is Shane Warne not being at the club.
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I know it sounds odd but it is a new era and gives the lads the chance to take their opportunities.
Shane will be a massive loss because he was great in the changing rooms and you could have a laugh and a joke with him, as well as him being a top cricketer.
But he has gone and Dimi has taken over as captain. It was brilliant when he got picked because I know how hard he has worked.
When I was in Perth over the last couple of winters I stayed with his mum Pauline so I know how much it means to his family.
He is well liked around the club, plays for England and will play in the Indian Premier League.
There couldn't be anyone better.
You never know, it could be me one day, but for the meantime I'm with the U19 side playing Middlesex, so I'm going to have to wait for my chance in the first team.
But we all train together and I've played in a couple of friendlies during pre-season. I've gained some experience, but lost some money.
Dimi Mascarenhas and Chris Benham are the card sharks at Hampshire - you don't win if they are playing.
We were rained off in our friendly at Cardiff, against Cardiff UCCE, over the weekend so just played poker in the dressing room and when we weren't doing that we played rugby and a few other stupid games - basically just being idiots.
I won my first game last season but haven't won one since - beginners luck is definitely important in poker.
But playing games and mucking around helps the team and the dressing room is great.
If you've had a bad day then everyone makes a joke about it and the first team coach, Paul Terry, must be the most relaxed person in the world.
It's just really helpful and, in turn, makes you a better player because you are relaxed.
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