Smith joined Worcestershire from Leicestershire a year ago

After 13 years of county cricket, Worcestershire's Ben Smith finally has the challenge he has been wanting - a captain's job.

Middle-order batsman Smith was named as skipper at New Road just a year after his arrival from Leicestershire, following the surprise dismissal of Graeme Hick.

Smith made his name in an over-achieving Leicestershire side that won County Championship titles in 1996 and 1998.

But he admits that as long ago as 1999 he was hoping for the chance to prove himself as a captain, and hints that was one of the reasons behind his move west a year ago.

"I would have liked the captaincy a couple of years earlier at Leicestershire, but it did not come about," he says.

"The whole point of me changing from Leicestershire to Worcestershire was purely a new challenge for me personally as a player.

"You look to aim your sights higher. Something like the captaincy would have been on my list when you make those decisions."

We must learn from last year that every point counts and not to let anything slip Ben Smith

Smith had to move down a division in the Championship to try to further his career, and hopes of promotion were dashed when the Black Pears finished fourth in Division Two by two points.

They were also beaten to the wire in the National League by Glamorgan, who clinched the one-day title by the same two-point margin.

Smith cites the crossovers between overseas players Andy Bichel, Allan Donald and finally Shane Lee as the points when some momentum might have been lost.

Smith was impressed by Hayward's showing against England

But that should not be a problem this year as South African fast bowler Nantie Hayward has retired from international cricket to ensure he is available for the whole summer.

"I saw him against England in a [World Cup] warm-up match for his province, and he ran in and knocked a couple over early on and still looked as if he had that pace," says Smith.

He believes Hayward will add some extra canniness too - and he also expects big seasons from England aspirants Kabir Ali, Gareth Batty and Vikram Solanki.

And Smith also expects his leadership to make a difference.

"I try to be fairly dynamic and get the guys working together. What we must do is learn from last year that every point counts and not to let anything slip," he warns.

"Last year we took a bit of stick for not winning the big games. But it was only really one game against Glamorgan which lost us the Sunday league."

"We came so close last time, so we've got to be thinking we can do at least as well again."