Hashim Amla will make his Hampshire debut tomorrow after meeting his new teammates for the first time at The Ageas Bowl yesterday.

The South African is expected to open the batting with Jimmy Adams when Hampshire begin the season against newly-promoted Worcestershire (11am start).

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “It was great to see Hashim, he fitted in very well and everyone is very excited to have him around.

“We had a meeting this morning and he played nicely in the nets after lunch.

“He’s a nice man who comes across very well.

“We can already see he’s going to have a big impact on the younger players.

“We’ll have another meeting in the morning before finalising the XI.”

Hampshire have had the wettest pre-season for many years, with more than half of their itinerary cancelled.

“We’re a bit short of where we’d like to be, but we’ve made the best of it,” said White.

The main ground was still too wet for any practice other than ‘sidearming’ on the outfield yesterday morning.

But it was dry enough by the afternoon and no rain is forecast for the next few days.

“The drainage is excellent and [groundsman] Karl [McDermott] and his team have done a fantastic job,” said White.

“They enabled us to be in the middle this afternoon so hopefully we’ll get a full game against Worcestershire, who are a very competitive outfit.

“They topped division two ahead of Notts last year so have a strong squad. We’ll need to be at our best.”

With the additions they have made, Hampshire are expected to challenge for their first title since 1973.

“It’s about keeping players on the park and the them turning up with energy every day,” said White.

“We’ve got quality players and a nicely balanced squad. Hopefully things go our way.”

Hampshire have a fully fit squad with the exception of Ian Holland and Mason Crane.

All-rounder Holland underwent shoulder surgery in November, while Crane hopes to be fit for the start of the Royal London One-day Cup next month.

“Mase is desperate to get going,” added White.

Worcestershire are back in the first division for the first time since 2015and have former Ventnor CC star Travis Head as their overseas player.

The Australian left-hander is no stranger to the Ageas Bowl, having been part of the first Ageas Bowl International Cricket Academy intake in 2013, the summer he made 968 runs at 64.5 for Southern Premier League Ventnor.

Since then he has played 34 one-day internationals and ten T20 internationals.

Hampshire (probable XI): Adams, Amla, Vince, Northeast, Rossouw, Dawson, McManus, Berg, Abbott, Wheal, Edwards