This season appears to be more about what's happening off the field rather than on it at Hampshire.

Having said farewell to their Northlands Road ground in Southampton at the end of last season, the club has moved across town to their new £17 million Rose Bowl headquarters.

The pavilion will not be ready until next year, meaning temporary buildings will have to be used this summer, and the club are still £5 million short of meeting the bill for the new ground. They are hoping to raise the shortfall through sponsorship.

In addition, the club is on the way to becoming a plc, a move which was backed by an overwhelming majority at the club's recent annual meeting.

On the field, however, things are not quite so bright. The county finished seventh in Division One of the County Championship last season and were relegated – and that was with Shane Warne. Now, of course, he has left to see if he can work his wonders against England in this summer's Ashes series.

This summer's overseas player is Zimbabwean Neil Johnson, not quite as charismatic as Warne but Hampshire will be hoping his all-round skills can help them bounce immediately back into Division One.

Another departure during the winter was former Yorkshire player Peter Hartley who has served Hampshire well for three years.

Meanwhile, Chris Tremlett, son of staff coach Tim and a winter tourist to India with England Under-19s, has been awarded a full-time contract.

Squad: J Adams, A Aymes, I Brunnschweiler, J Francis, S Francis, J Hamblin, N Johnson, W Kendall, D Kenway, J Laney, A Mascarenhas, A Morris, Z Morris, A Mullally, L Prittipaul, A Sexton, I Shah, R Smith (captain), J Stephenson, C Tremlett, S Udal, C van der Gucht, G White.

Overseas: Neil Johnson (Zimbabwe).

In: J Francis, N Johnson, I Shah.

Out: P Hartley, S Renshaw, L Savident, S Warne.

© CricInfo Ltd.