HAMPSHIRE captain Will Smith is relishing his role as Jimmy Adams’ new opening partner as he prepares to lead his side against former county Durham this weekend.

Smith shared stands of 89 with Adams and Tom Alsop - Hampshire’s highest first and second wicket partnerships of the season - during this week’s Specsavers County Championship draw against Somerset.

He believes it is the best move for the team, following Michael Carberry’s unbeaten 37 at No.4.

“In the short to medium term, this is what we think is best for the team and for Carbs and myself,” said Smith.

“If we can face 60-80 overs before Carbs comes in that’s not ideal for the opposition.

“If Carbs plays well it’s a massive asset having him come in when the bowlers are a little more tired.”

Smith and Carberry were averaging 18.5 and 21.5 respectively before Somerset’s visit - well below their usual high standards.

“When thing aren’t going as well as you possibly want you think of potential ways of improving and changing things around to initiate people into something positive,” Smith continued.

“It’s a really positive move for both of us and for the team. We saw how Carbs played on Tuesday, he looked really good.”

Smith made one of his two Hampshire centuries (142no v Kent) in one of his four games as an opener in 2014, his first season with the county.

“I’ve got to a stage where I always felt I’d become a middle-order player but equally one of my assets is versatility so if the team needs me to open I’m well capable of doing that,” he said.

“Batting is a mindset, wherever you bat.

“I’ve opened before and done quite well at it so it’s something I’m more than happy with, it suits me and gives me a real focus.

“I just need to be out there batting against as many balls as I can.”

Smith, who batted at No 3 when he captained Durham to the 2009 County Championship title, is looking forward to his return to the Riverside this weekend.

He is hoping for a similar result to the corresponding match of last season, which Hampshire won by seven wickets last September – with Ryan McLaren taking 7-114 on debut - en route to their remarkable Great Escape.

“We had a good experience there last year, a lot of guys contributed so we can take some confidence from that and try and put in a similar performance,” said Smith, who made 4,295 Championship runs at 30.67 for Durham from 2007-13 (he has 2,315 at 37.95 for Hampshire).