By Steve Beauchampe

Worcestershire pace bowler Kadir Ali could be forgiven for watching England's success in the West Indies with mixed feelings.

Kabir was voted Young Player of the Year in 2003

Following his Test debut versus South Africa at Headingley last summer, and match analysis of 5-136, he might reasonably have expected to feature in a winter tour party.

It wasn't to be, so while Harmison, Hoggard, Jones and Flintoff cemented their places, garnering widespread acclaim in the process, Kabir has been working on his game, first under Rod Marsh at the National Academy, later at Dennis Lillee's Madras pace bowling Academy.

"I spent a month there working on fitness, a changed run up, my rhythm and how I load up in delivering the ball. Hopefully, I'm a bit quicker as a result, but not at the expense of control, line and length.

"You can be the world's quickest bowler, but if you can't control the ball, then that speed counts for nothing. Good batsmen can play pace, it's knowing what to do with the ball that makes a bowler dangerous."

Prior to Madras, Kabir's third spell at the National Academy brought contact with the ECB's specialist bowling coach Troy Cooley.

Was he impressed?

"Yes. Having worked with him, then studied closely our bowling in the Caribbean, it's clear he must take credit for the improvements in Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard, and how well Simon Jones has recovered from serious injury."

Those guys are in the box seats, but can a new improved Kabir still feature during this summer's onerous international programme?

WORCESTERSHIRE 2004 Director of Cricket: Tom Moody Captain: Ben Smith Overseas players: Andy Bichel, Andrew Hall Players in: Nadeem Malik, Andy Bichel Players out: Anurag Singh, Nantie Hayward

"If I'm recalled, it's a bonus, but I bowl a good line and length, swing the ball and take wickets."

An equally big challenge will be keeping newly promoted Worcesterhire in the top flight, although he will not be able to contribute until May following a hernia operation.

The bowling looks strong. Kabir shares new ball duties with Australian Andy Bichel, returning for his third spell at New Road after a year's hiatus induced by international committments.

"Andy inspired me even when he wasn't playing. I could talk to him, learn things and we really enjoyed his company on and off the field. He's subsequently played around the world against so many good players, so I'll definately be picking his brains.

"Also returning is South African Andrew Hall, along with Matt Mason and Mark Harrity. In the spin department there's Gareth Batty, and if we lose him to England duty, then there's Shaftab Khalid, a young off-spinner who models himself on Saqlain Mushtaq and who toured with England 'A' this winter."

Andy Bichel is a firm favourite with fans at New Road

Essentially, it was Worcestershire's bowling which won them promotion, but serious questions exist over a batting line-up where last season both Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki failed to deliver consistently.

Both they, dependable skipper Ben Smith, Stephen Peters and Kabir's younger cousin Kadeer Ali need to fire if Worcester are to post sufficient runs to win Championship matches.

If not, then Kabir appreciates that pressure will fall on the middle order and upper tail to deliver and he has been working on his batting.

"I've put in the hard yards on it this winter. I played as a pinch-hitter in a couple of limited overs games last season, scored 92 in one match and found it an enjoyable challenge. It's good to face the new ball rather than delivering it.

"My career average is 21, it should be nearer 30. Gareth Batty, Andy Bichel, Matt Mason, Stephen Rhodes and myself must all stick around, build and maintain partnerships."

All told, he's resolutely optimistic.

"Playing in Division One requires that we all raise our game, set higher standards. It's a wide open division, though I think Surrey, Sussex and Lancashire are the strongest sides.