THE return of Nicky Smith and the absence of Ken Marsh are the two surprises in the first team named by Hampshire's new Middleton Cup manager John Plomer.

Smith was a Middleton Cup regular until taking a back seat from the county championship two seasons ago.

However, the Atherley bowler has made himself available again for this summer and has been chosen to skip for the opening Hampshire friendly against Wiltshire on Sunday, May 19, at his home green.

He has made 36 cup appearances for the county though none of them as a skip.

Though Hampshire did not qualify from their group last year, one of their successes was Ken Marsh who emerged as the only skip with a 100 per cent record after being recalled following a ten-year absence from Middleton Cup action.

But the Hants Police veteran has been overlooked this time as Plomer plans for the future.

As expected Martyn Sekjer has been installed at skip and will surely make his Hampshire debut there come the opening Middleton Cup date away to the Isle of Wight on Saturday, June 8.

The international, who first played for England in 1985 outdoors, had a long history with the Kent Middleton Cup side before moving to the Southampton area and joining Sports Centre this year.

What has raised eyebrows is that Julian Haines has been selected at number three for the Wilts tussle. Haines has been a Hampshire skip for many years but Sekjer is keen to have him as his number three for the cup campaign.

Another new skip is Chris Daniels. He has played lead in more than a dozen Hampshire matches but Plomer was so impressed with the former Atherley man as a back-end bowler during the county trial that he had no hesitation in picking him to skip.

Barry Bendall - such a consistent performer for Banister Park over the years, Ian Churchman (Aldershot Traction) and Paul Lawrence (Portsmouth Civil Service) are given their chance for a Middleton Cup call-up and besides Marsh, the omissions include former skips Peter Pull and Colin Hayward - both unavailable, Colin Thresher and Peter Hobday.

Plomer made his choice after watching some 40 bowlers playing in the Atherley trial. Following the Wiltshire clash, Hampshire have their final friendly against Dorset at Dorchester on Sunday, May 26, after which Plomer will announce his squad for the Isle of Wight trip.

Rinks to play Wiltshire:

Ian Churchman (Aldershot Traction), Barry Bendall (Banister Park), Dorian Bishop (Southsea Waverley), Peter Ward (Sports Centre);

Alan Geary, Chris Martin (both Boscombe Cliff), Charlie Bailey (Fareham), Chris Daniels (Boscombe Cliff);

Kevin Philip (Aldershot Traction), Denny Graydon (Fleming Park), Paul May (Pyestock), Nicky Jones (Boscombe Cliff);

John Keat (Sports Centre), Dean Morgan, Julian Haines (both Boscombe Cliff), Martyn Sekjer (Sports Centre);

Mike Squires, Ron Sparks (both Boscombe Cliff), Leo May (Pyestock), Russell Morgan (Boscombe Cliff);

Matthew Marchant (Southsea Waverley), Paul Lawrence (Portsmouth CS), Dave Dunford (Aldershot Traction), Nicky Smith (Atherley).

Reserves: Darren Clark (Bournemouth), Jim Marsland, Paul Short (both Aldershot Traction), Richard Shelley (Sports Centre).

Hampshire face Oxfordshire in an under-31 friendly at Old Basing on Sunday (10.30). Afterwards Plomer will reveal his side for the under-25 double rink championship.