Moore out to prove his worth

"I have to get the big runs and bat for long periods" - Stephen Moore outlines his plans for new club Lancashire

Stephen Moore is hoping his move to Lancashire will help take his game to the next level.

The 28-year-old batsman left Worcestershire for Old Trafford earlier this month, having invoked a clause in his contract following their relegation from the First Division of the LV= County Championship.

Moore sees playing top-flight cricket as essential to his ambitions of playing for England, and will return from the England Performance Programme’s winter trip to South Africa eager to impress for his new county.

He forced himself into the selectors’ thinking when he topped the domestic batting charts with 1,288 championship runs at 53.66 in 2008, although he averaged barely half that during a largely disappointing campaign this summer.

That Moore was deemed worthy of a category A contract on the EPP tour - he is effectively on standby for the Test squad in South Africa - proved he remains prominent in the thoughts of the England hierarchy.

Regardless of whether he wins a call-up to the senior side in the coming months, Moore is relishing the opportunity to better himself as a cricketer next summer.

“I was lucky last year because things clicked for me,” he told ecb.co.uk. “This year I’ve felt even better in spaces, but I’ve not been able to generate the momentum and build enough big innings.

“Cricket is a funny game - a lot of it is confidence - and the higher the level you play, the more mental it becomes.

“I’m fitter and stronger than I was and I feel my game has improved but you’ve got to show people you’re not a flash in the pan.

“I have to get the big runs and bat for long periods - that is what makes the difference between good players and great players. I hope and always want to keep improving.

“I’m going to Lancashire next year and I want to score as many championship and one-day runs as I can. Hopefully I can score lots of runs and help them win a trophy.”

The ambitious Moore is eager to prove his prolific 2008 campaign with Worcestershire was not a "flash in the pan"

Despite a lean summer, Moore took encouragement from speaking to the selectors - most notably Ashley Giles, who combines his England role with the director of cricket post at Warwickshire.

Worcestershire and Warwickshire may have been championship rivals this season, but Moore insists the health of the national side should carry greater importance than the needs of individual counties.

“I had a little bit of contact with the selectors, and particular Ashley Giles,” Moore added. “It’s nice to speak to them face to face and learn about their ideas and how you might fit into English cricket.

“We’re playing against each other, but the whole point of county cricket is to produce a successful England team.”

Although Moore will have to wait until after his South Africa adventure before he joins his new team-mates at Old Trafford, Lancashire captain Glen Chapple has already been impressed by the ambitious approach of their newest recruit.

“With Stuart Law leaving last year and Mal Loye this year, it became obvious we needed an experienced opening batsman,” Chapple told ecb.co.uk. “Stephen is 28 and he’s getting towards his peak.

“I know from playing against him he’s very keen to do well, and he’s got ambitions to go further in the game.

“Someone’s character is not part of my selection because you can’t always tell beforehand. But it’s crucial that the players have a tough attitude.

“It’s a tough game and and you need players who are prepared to work hard. I can’t wait to have Stephen on board.”