WORCESTERSHIRE have launched their countdown to the new cricket season with Ben Smith pledging a more ruthless approach to their bid for promotion to the first divison of the Frizzell County Championship.

The newly appointed skipper said: "I think what I'm going to look to try and do is just be fairly aggressive at certain times where the team will need it.

"To miss out on promotion by two points last year was criminal. It's just up to us to be a little bit more ruthless and get the team thinking that way when we are in certain situations."

Smith, who says the New Road squad are 'the fittest I have ever been involved with', added: "After our South African tour everybody is getting on well and we are going to go into the season full of high hopes.

"We have got some great depth now in the bowling department and there's competition for places which is always healthy."

Smith is convinced his appointment as skipper will not harm his form with the bat. "Hopefully it won't affect my batting at all. If anything it will help make me have a better season than I had last year," he said.

"Obviously, there are different aspects to the game. I'll need to have a little bit more time to myself and keep my own house in order as far as my batting goes. But as far as the captaincy is involved it's important for me to make sure the team get on well and work as a unit."

The County have an inter-squad match at Ombersley tomorrow before opening their Championship campaign on Friday against Hampshire at New Road.

Next week Smith's men have a three-day match at Oxford UCCE, starting on Wednesday, before they begin their National League programme with a clash against Gloucestershire at Bristol on April 27.