Wood keen to exorcise demons

_{Nottinghamshire's Matt Wood spoke to ECBtv on the eve of the new LV= County Championship season}

Having had the County Championship trophy wrenched from their grasp during last summer's thrilling finale, Nottinghamshire's Matthew Wood insists his team are determined to go one better this year.

The Trent Bridge side knew a win against Hampshire in the final round of fixtures would see them crowned champions for the second time in four seasons.

The engravers would have been preparing to scrawl on the silverware after Nottinghamshire bowled Hampshire out for 203 before reaching 172 for three in reply.

But disaster struck. Nottinghamshire were soon skittled out and a reinvigorated Hampshire rattled up 449 for five in their second innings - something the hosts did not come close to challenging.

Two hundred miles away, Durham steam-rollered Kent to snatch the trophy like a thief in the night.

"To lose the last game was a sickener considering it lost us the championship," Wood told ECBtv. "It was disappointing. We had played very well at home all year.

The disconsolate Nottinghamshire players peer down from the dressing room balcony as the title slips away last summer

"We bowled very well first innings and then unfortunately didn't bat so well. To be fair to Hampshire, they played very well and ended up getting the result."

Nottinghamshire's squad matches up against any other in the country, although likely international call-ups for Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and Samit Patel - fitness permitting - will prove a hindrance.

However, there is plenty of firepower aside from their international stars with Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson arguably the most potent new-ball attack in domestic cricket.

With the bat, Mark Wagh, captain Chris Read, Australian Adam Voges and former England under-19 batsman Bilal Shafayat should provides oodles of runs.

"We have a very good chance," added Wood. "We have a very good squad - the same squad with a couple of additions. We should be up there competing.

"It's going to be an interesting summer after being so close in two competitions last year. Hopefully this year we can go one step further."

Wood expects holders Durham to give a stout defence of their title while Lancashire, under the guidance of new coach Peter Moores, are another side tipped to do well.

"Durham look a very good side," he said. "Lancashire with the new coach could be interesting. First Division cricket, there is a lot of quality around and, as it showed last year, most sides can beat each other."