WARREN Hegg has one burning ambition before he retires - to win a County Championship.

The Whitefield-born Lancashire captain has just begun his 19th season at Old Trafford, with the county hot favourites to take the title outright for the first time since 1934.

Wicketkeeper Hegg believes that Mike Watkinson's team have a genuine chance of capturing the title after coming so close last season, and the captain is ready to play his part.

"I'm as fit as I've ever been in my cricketing career," said the 36-year-old. "Keeping fit has really helped my game. I'm not going to carry on playing into my 40s, so I would say I've got a maximum of another two years left in me.

"The enthusiasm is still there, but I've got to stay on top of my game."

It is little wonder that Hegg is so enthusiastic given the quality of the county squad.

"I think this is the most complete Lancashire squad I've ever seen," he said.

"If players get injured, they can be replaced by talented cricketers. There's also a feeling that no one's place is guaranteed, which is always a healthy sign."

The capture of Dominic Cork from Derbyshire was hailed by many cricket experts as the final piece in Watkinson's jigsaw as he attempted to improve on last season's County Championship runners-up spot.

And Cork has already made an impact, taking eight wickets in a comprehensive victory over last season's champions Sussex at Hove.

Hegg said: "It's important that players don't becoming fatigued. Last season, we struggled on the seamer bowling front. There were times when Peter Martin and Glenn Chappell could have done with a rest, but we didn't have the back up. That was why we signed Dominic Cork.

"Last season, I had to keep asking Peter to give me one more game. But this season, we will be able to manage it better, particularly with the emergence of Sajid Mahmood and Kyle Hogg."

Bolton-born Sajid has made huge strides in the last 12 months, breaking into the England A side.

He took five wickets in that win over Sussex, and his contribution has not gone unnoticed by Hegg.

"We're over the moon with the way Sajid has come on over the winter.

"He's going to have to work hard, but we're hoping that he can pull out the stops for us."

Hegg's cheery, outgoing personality belies a determination to foster a solid team spirit: "Nothing gets my back up more than negative vibes. Anyone who brings in anything negative is shown the door."

But he is always happy to listen to others. He said: "I've played the game for 20 years, and I'm still learning. I've never professed to be a Mike Brearley or a Mike Gatting. I welcome advice. Players can always come to me to offer advice."

Everything is well set up for a successful Lancashire season. But Hegg, who played in the Bolton League for Tonge early in his career, is wise enough to know that there are some things he cannot control.

"The weather did defeat us three times last year - against Essex, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire - which inevitably cost us the championship.

"In cricket, you do need a little bit of luck; an umpiring decision that goes your way here, some fortune with the weather there.

"Over the last couple of years, we've had some rotten luck. I just hope that this could be our year."