By Anna Thompson

Troughton is hoping a good county season could signal an England recall

The Bears finished last season in mid-table in both the County Championship and National League although they did make it to the final of Twenty20 Cup.

Troughton told BBC Sport: "Nick Knight, John Inverarity and Simon Hollioake, our sports scientist, have had us working hard pre-season.

"As a result, the squad is as fit as I have ever seen it and the bowlers are fitter than they have ever been.

"We will always back ourselves to win every trophy but I certainly believe we are top three material in the County Championship."

Troughton, who averaged 41.55 last season, said the batting unit was guilty of failing to get enough runs on the board.

WARWICKSHIRE 2004 Director of Coaching: John Inverarity Captain: Nick Knight Overseas players: Brad Hogg, Heath Streak (Dewald Pretorius as cover) Players in: Brad Hogg, Heath Streak, Dewald Pretorius Players out: Neil Smith, Melvyn Betts, Mo Sheikh, Collins Obuya, Waqar Younis

He said: "We were happy to get to the final of the Twenty20 Cup but in terms of the Championship and the National League, we were a bit disappointed that we didn't achieve more.

"I am a batsman and I think the team was guilty of not getting enough runs on the board to dominate games.

"We were playing catch up most of the time in the Championship and this is something we want to put right this year.

"The future of the Warwickshire batting line-up is awesome because we are quite young - apart from Knight!

"Ian Bell has been playing really well pre-season and Mark Wagh has worked really hard on his game.

"All the batsmen are looking to get to the 1,000 run mark and I think we are all capable of achieving it.

He is a tough competitor, good batter, great fielder and not many batsmen in England will have played against his type of chinaman spin bowling Troughton on Brad Hogg

"I am concentrating getting my head down and playing for Warwickshire and if I do well then maybe England will come knocking again."

Warwickshire did not find an adequate replacement for experienced South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock and New Zealand paceman Shane Bond's injury was a big blow too.

But this season, Troughton is excited about the signings of spinner Brad Hogg and Heath Streak.

He said: "Brad Hogg looks a really enthusiastic character.

"He is a tough competitor, good batter, great fielder and not many batsmen in England will have played against his type of chinaman spin bowling.

"It is something different and we all saw what Mushtaq Ahmed did at Sussex and I think Hogg is capable of putting pressure on batsmen.

"Heath Streak is an experienced performer who swings the ball and the conditions in England will suit him fine.

"And Dewald Pretorious bowled very quickly and looked very strong in a friendly we played against Hampshire."