Mason determined to prove a point

Matt Mason removes England's Nick Knight in a match at Edgbaston

Worcestershire's experienced seam bowler Matt Mason insists he still has plenty to offer the side this season.

Mason, 35, moved into coaching last winter but says that does not mean he is planning on retiring as a player.

"A few people say that injuries have taken the edge off me and any cricketer is going to have doubts after two really tough years," he said.

"But as far as my potential to play for Worcestershire and do well I think I've still got a lot to offer," he added.

Mason took up the role of bowling coach with the New Road club at the end of last season and admits this gave him a new impetus following two frustrating seasons when injuries had kept him out of the squad.

He insists the rigorous pre-season programme means the Worcestershire squad is better prepared for this season than it has been for many years.

"It's been the best I've been involved in at Worcester," he said. "We've had these 12-month contracts so everyone is fit and strong.

"We've hit the ground running for a change and don't feel like we are behind the eight ball coming into a season.

"We have been notoriously slow starters in all competitions but this year, after playing some good cricket on tour in South Africa, I think we are in great shape," he added.

Mason would probably agree that, had Simon Jones been fit and overseas signing Ashley Noffke not had teething problems with his visa, then he might have not have featured in the opening Championship game of the season at Southampton.

We've got a really good bond that could give us an advantage over some of the bigger squads

Matt Mason

He acknowledges Worcestershire do not have the resources of some counties but insists this could work to their advantage as they head back into Division One of the County Championship.

"We're a small squad compared to a lot of counties, " he told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "We had 16 players out in South Africa while Durham had 30.

"It does make it tough but we think it can also bring us closer together.

"We've got 16 guys that could all play first-team cricket and we've got a really good bond that could give us an advantage over some of these bigger squads."