Simple for Dalrymple

skysports.com caught up with Jamie Dalrymple to talk about a new start and his hopes for the future.

All-rounder Jamie Dalrymple wants to challenge for England honours again after re-launching his county career with Glamorgan. The 27-year-old has found fresh focus since moving from Middlesex to Wales this winter and is eager to add to his 27 one-day caps. Now re-united with cricket manager Matthew Maynard, who he worked with during last year's World Cup, Dalrymple is ready to kick on from a difficult 2007. And after scoring 80 in his first Championship knock for Glamorgan, against none other than his former employer at St John's Wood, his stock is back on the rise. "Sod's law dictated that my first game would be back at Lord's," Dalrymple, whose highest first-class score last season batting at six or seven was just 57, told skysports.com. "But it's great to get it done and out of the way so the truly fresh stuff can start as this season is all about me getting down to business. "I'm batting at five at the moment and I've got to try and nail that down as quickly as possible and then contribute with the ball. "Matt has helped me clear up my head and get past last year, get into a solid, fresh start. I've got a clear challenge, with simple roles; now it's just up to me to go out and play." With the likes of Robert Croft and Jason Gillespie in the squad, the off-spinner already has plenty of role models prior to the arrival of South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs in June. "It's going to be fascinating to see him play up close," Dalrymple said of Gibbs, who belted six sixes off one over from Dutchman Dan van Bunge in the World Cup. "We've all seen some of the truly incredible innings he's played. It will be great to see some of those skimming cover drives flying over the rope at the SWALEC Stadium this year."

Challenge

Dalrymple's enthusiasm for the game made him the ideal person to lead an MCC tour to Uganda earlier this year, aimed at promoting cricket around the world. Glamorgan's Dave Harrison, Ben Scott of Middlesex and Nottinghamshire duo Mark Wagh and Bilal Shafayat were among those who also made the trip, which concluded with two victories over Kenya's U19 side. "We could tell very clearly from the guys we met that they really relished the chance to play against a lot of names that people would recognise," said Dalrymple. "I got into the game because I love the game and enjoy playing in different areas and learning as much around the world about the game as is possible. "We had some interesting wickets to play on but that's another good thing as you've got it in the bank as experience if more come along. I relish a good challenge."