Wayne Madsen is delighted with the progress made during pre-season and is now targeting a fast start to the new campaign which begins on Sunday.
Derbyshire entertain Lancashire in the LV= County Championship curtain-raiser, which starts on Sunday (11am) at The 3aaa County Ground.
The visitors have appointed Ashley Giles as their new Director of Cricket, after Mike Watkinson stepped down at the end of last season. They also have a new captain in all-rounder Tom Smith, and will enter the new season as one of the promotion favourites.
But Madsen believes, following a successful winter programme, that Derbyshire will be on their game as they look to start the new season with a win.
“They’re a quality outfit, they’ve got some experienced international players in their ranks, and we will have to be at the top of our game,” said Madsen.
“The eleven that takes to the field will be ready and raring to go, and hopefully we can get the season off to a winning start.
“I’m sure they will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season, so for us it is a great test and to get a win against Lancashire would be a huge boost for us.”
Madsen believes that a good start to the season is crucial to his side’s end of season ambitions, and has praised the way the team has prepared for the new campaign.
“We’ve trained well and played well in the warm-up matches. We’re very happy with what we’ve done as a squad and we’re excited for Sunday.
“We’re very confident going into this first game, both in our abilities and what we want to achieve this season.
“When we were successful in 2012 we had such a good start, and that is something we want to replicate again this year.”
Madsen, who qualifies to play for England having resided in the country for five years, is hoping to force his way into the reckoning by continuing to flourish with the bat for Derbyshire.
The 31 year-old batsman, who was born in South Africa, says it would be an honour to represent England.
“It’s definitely a goal and a target of mine, I would love to play international cricket for England.
“It would be a huge privilege, I feel at home here and I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to play cricket in England. I would feel very proud to wear the English badge.
“I need to go out and let my bat do the talking. I’ve been successful in the last few seasons, I want to now continue that success and take it to another level.
“All I can do is perform and put my name forward for a position, that’s going to be done by scoring heavy runs and I am really keen to do that this year.”
Madsen believes it would be fantastic for Derbyshire to have a player receive international recognition, and he believes it is only a matter of time before Derbyshire’s talented crop of players are earmarked for national selection.
“We haven’t had an England player here for a number of years, it would be a great reward for all of the hard work that has been put in, both on and off the field over the last few years.
“If there was a call-up for someone then I believe it would be the first of many, we have the talent coming through our ranks.
“We have a number of guys who have the potential to play international cricket and I’m sure over the next five years that there will be a lot of call-ups.”
There’s still time for supporters to purchase Membership, Six Packs and matchday tickets for the 2015 season; either over the phone by calling 0871 350 1870, online HERE or in person at The 3aaa County Ground; Grandstand Road, Derby, DE21 6AF.
