WORCESTERSHIRE'S most prolific batman last season, Ben Smith, is hoping the County can provide a much-improved campaign this time around.

Former captain Smith admits there was a fair amount of disharmony in the dressing room last year as well as a distinct lack of stability.

The fatal combination ultimately led to relegation from Division One of the County Championship and a failed promotion bid from Division Two of what was the totesport League.

However, Smith believes Worcestershire's outlook is much brighter for the 2006 campaign.

He said: "Confidence is high at the moment. It is difficult to be exact about things so early in the season though.

"Everyone starts on a level playing field. Confidence is good, as this is a fresh start for us.

"We weren't successful enough last season and we weren't enjoying each other's success because we weren't putting in the performances.

"We had some tough times in the dressing room and I think that side of it will be a lot easier this year.

"We have got some good overseas players already signed on and everyone is looking forward to getting stuck in.

"It is very important to have a balanced squad with depth and there are guys here who can put their hands up in all situations -- the four-day and the one-day game -- and I honestly think it is about the individuals and the characters of the players.

"We have some players who are starting their careers here, some, like me, who have been here for five years or so and then there is someone like Graeme Hick who has been here for 20-odd years.

"It is a really good balance and I think everyone is in the right frame of mind to take it further."

Smith was happy with his own form last season and feels that if a couple more players can rise to the challenge this term, Worcestershire have a very good chance of doing well.

He did not enjoy the best of starts to the season in the first Championship game, scoring nine in the first innings before falling first ball in the second.

Smith added: "Fifteen hundred runs is a good season for a batsman and I'd like to think I could do that again as well as the team getting promotion into the first division for a double whammy.

"After the first two or three games last year my technique was right and my game plan was right, but I want to be doing that in a team that is winning matches.

"There were two of us who got big runs last year and if three or four of us can do that this year and the bowlers back the batters up, we have a good chance of being successful."