Hampshire are set to hand a home ‘debut’ to Gareth Berg in the two-day friendly against Surrey that starts today.

The all-rounder has not played for almost a year after suffering a freak shoulder infection last April. But after being sacked by Middlesex the 34 year-old has been given a fresh chance by Hampshire and is in a strong 12-man squad for Surrey’s visit. Play is due to begin at 11am.

Hampshire have two other Ageas Bowl friendlies, a first-class match against Loughborough MCCU from April 2-4 and another two-day match against Kent on April 7-8, before their opening LV County Championship match at home to Sussex from April 12.

Hampshire (from): Adams, Carberry, Smith, Vince, Dawson, Ervine, Wheater, Berg, Briggs, Wood, Tomlinson, Barber.