Mahmood keen to hit ground running

Sajid Mahmood celebrates a wicket in last year's LV= County Championship campaign

Lancashire paceman Sajid Mahmood is hoping to make a flying start to the county season as he looks to regain his place in the England side.

Mahmood’s last appearance for his country came almost two years ago, as Michael Vaughan’s side bowed out of the 2007 World Cup with a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa.

However, following an encouraging winter tour to New Zealand with the England Lions and a call-up to the 30-man squad for June’s World Twenty20, the 27-year-old is determined to earn another chance at the highest level and believes Lancashire could benefit as a result.

“Obviously, my main ambition for the year is to get back into the England side,” Mahmood told ecb.co.uk. “But for me to do that I need to get off to a good start with Lancashire.

“If I can take some wickets here to try and help us into a good position early in the season, we’ll see what happens from there.

“To be able to play abroad somewhere over the winter in a competitive environment helped me quite a lot.

“I had a pretty long tour to New Zealand with the Lions and that went well.

“I know if I bowl a lot in game situations it can help me to improve and get into a good rhythm, whereas if I stop for a while my rhythm’s not there, so I think that’s going to help me massively.

“Also, since I’ve come back to Lancashire our preparation has been top-drawer and that can only help me.

“I’ve felt really good in the nets and I can’t wait for the start of the season now.”

Another reason for Mahmood’s optimism is the recent arrival of Peter Moores at Old Trafford.

Moores has already made a positive impression during his short time with the county and Mahmood admits the squad are eager to learn from the former England head coach.

“Peter is obviously a quality coach having worked at the highest level internationally with England,” Mahmood added.

“He’s got a lot of ideas to give to the players and I think the lads are really enjoying it.

Mahmood's last England appearance ended in defeat to South Africa in the 2007 World Cup

“He’s coached at the highest level, so he knows what to expect of players to perform at that level.

“I’m pretty sure he’s not going to lower his standards (from when he was in the England job). He will tell the players what he wants from them and I’m sure the lads will take it on board.

"They certainly have done already in the short time he’s been here and hopefully that will show at the start of the season.”

Although Lancashire are hopeful of having England seamer James Anderson available for the opening weeks of the campaign, Mahmood is aware he may be required to take on extra responsibility this year.

Anderson and Andrew Flintoff are likely to miss large chunks of the domestic campaign due to their international commitments, while the latter is heading to South Africa this month to take part in the Indian Premier League.

With Dominic Cork having been released during the winter, the onus will be on Mahmood to help new captain Glen Chapple in leading an inexperienced pace attack, something the Bolton-born quick is relishing.

“There is a little bit more responsibility there, but there was at the start of last season and to be honest I enjoy it,” he said.

“It’s more of a challenge. You’re expected to talk to the younger lads and try and guide them because you’ve played more first-class cricket.

“I do enjoy it and with the quality of youngsters we’ve got coming through here I’m sure we can do well.

“Steven Cheetham in particular had done brilliantly so far for us and really impressed me.

“He moves the ball around and bowls at pace so I think he’s one to look out for.”