THERE is much to look forward to for Hampshire Cricket fans in 2015.

For starters, a first season back in the first division of the LV County Championship since 2011.

All being well, the Ageas Bowl’s redevelopment will be finished in May, after which home games will be played against the backdrop of the completed Hilton hotel.

Having won promotion back to the Championship’s top flight at the third time of asking, by winning their first piece of first-class silverware since lifting the 1973 title, Hampshire’s first priority will be consolidation.

The nucleus of their side now has the requisite experience, talent and know-how to ensure it bridges the gap.

With Australian Jackson Bird and veteran New Zealander Andre Adams set to bolster the seam attack for the first three months of the season, Hampshire should have the firepower to build on their 2014 success.

Already in place is the backbone needed to compete with battle-hardened first division teams.

Hampshire were harder to beat than at any time since 1973 this year, their only defeat being a two-wicket loss at Colchester against promotion rivals Essex, who kept the pressure on until the final week of the season.

When Hampshire were 53-5 after an hour of their final game at Glamorgan – while Essex were bowling leaders Worcestershire out for 84 – there were concerns that Jimmy Adams and his men would be pipped at the last.

But a dramatic few days saw Hampshire use Essex’s win to pip Worcestershire to the title by just three points.

The champagne that flowed in Cardiff after James Tomlinson’s match-winning 6-48 on the season’s final day is Hampshire’s stand-out memory of 2014.

In contrast to recent seasons, the limited-overs competitions were a disappointment.

The undoubted highlight was the spectacular T20 Blast quarter-final win against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, inspired by James Vince’s magnificent 93 not out.

Chasing 198, Hampshire won by five wickets with an over to spare to ensure their place at Finals Day for a record fifth successive season.

But Hampshire lost in the semi-finals at Edgbaston, as they did in 2011 and 2013, on another gloomy day in Birmingham.

The return to 50-over cricket was an even greater anti-climax.

Hampshire managed only one win from six (another two were washed out) in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Suffice to say, reaching their sixth Finals Day and improving their List A form will be key targets for 2015, as well as building on their Championship promotion. The signing of Yasir Arafat, principally for both limited-overs competitions (although he may also become available for the odd Championship match as a non-overseas player) is another shrewd addition.

Hampshire are likely to sign a second T20 overseas player at some stage – Australian big-hitter Glenn Maxwell will surely be a name debated again – but they are waiting until players’ availability becomes clearer before making a decision on that front.

Their immediate focus for 2015 will be ensuring their readiness for four Championship matches in the opening month of the season, starting with Sussex’s visit on April 12.