PAUL Pollard has already struck gold this season - and now he's hoping Worcestershire can dig deep and discover a rich vein of form.

The ex-Nottinghamshire left hander has had mixed fortunes in the opening weeks of the new campaign, but is confident the County can make a healthy impression this term.

"I think it's just a confidence thing," said the 32-year-old, who won his first Benson and Hedges Cup Gold Award in 15 years as a county cricketer when he cracked 69 in Worcestershire's 96-run group victory over Northamptonshire at Kidderminster's Chester Road ground last month.

Pollard, however, paid the price for his efforts when he suffered a hamstring injury during the early stages of his innings.

He managed to battle through the pain barrier, but was forced to miss Worcestershire's next six matches.

Pollard, Worcestershire's top run scorer in one-day cricket last term, is now hoping to remain injury-free for the rest of the season and help new Director of Cricket Tom Moody mould the side into a future trophy-winning force.

He said: "Tom's come in with his own ideas. He's the boss and if he says 'we are looking to play like this' then you have got to try to do it that way.

"Players have got their own beliefs, but at the end of the day he picks the team."

Pollard believes Moody's experiences with the triumphant Australian team will rub off on the County in their quest to get out of the second divisions in both the County Championship and Norwich Union National League.

He said: "Playing in the Australian side, who are the best around, he believes their ideas are right and obviously they must be good.

"It's just different to what I've been brought up with playing in different teams over the years. But I'm quite willing, if it's going to improve myself and the team, to try to give it a go.

"It's just a case of playing at different times of the game. The middle period of a game is very important where you have got to try to keep it ticking over and it can be quite difficult."

After his one-day batting successes last term, Pollard is again hoping to lead the way this season, particularly after missing the bulk of the County's Benson and Hedges Cup campaign which ended in narrow failure to qualify for the quarter-finals.

"When you go in first there's two ways of looking at it. The field has to be in but obviously they have got the new ball.

"I have played quite a while now and I have got a certain way I think it should be done and I try to adapt that to the conditions. If it comes off so be it."

Pollard is also crystal clear about what he'd like to achieve at New Road, saying: "I'd like to win a trophy. I've won a few things over the years, but I've come to a new side and obviously I'd like to win a trophy however it comes about.

"That's whether I do brilliantly or not so good, but so long as I can chip in at certain times and win games then I'm quite happy to do that.

"I don't set targets, just try and do the best I can every time I go out.

"I know it's a corny thing to say, for some people it works for them setting targets and goals, but for me there are situations where a quick 30 can change the game."

Despite their Benson and Hedges Cup exit, Pollard believes the County can push hard for a trophy this season.

"There's no reason why we can't with the talent I've seen in the side."

"I've played in some good teams over the years and there's plenty of talent here and a lot of young players as well.

"I think with Tom in charge, if he gets them thinking the right way, along with the older ones it might be our season. The spirit is fantastic and it's a good place to be. Long may it continue.

"If you look at Gloucestershire they keep their game plans very simple in what they do.

"They have won a lot of trophies and there's nothing flashy about the way they play. They just get on with it and do the right things.

"They do the simple and basic things well and they come out on top."