Alex Gidman has a double aim as he prepares to make his LV = County Championship debut for Worcestershire in today's clash with visiting Yorkshire.
Gidman is relishing the new challenge at New Road after moving from Gloucestershire on a two year contract after more than a decade.
He will be hoping to repeat last summer's form when he was third highest scorer in Division Two on 1,277 runs behind James Vince and Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell.
But the 33-year-old is also happy to pass on advice to the county's youngsters if he feels it will be beneficial.
Gidman said: "First and foremost, I've got to try to score as many runs as I can.
"I had a good run at the end of last season. I've tried to keep that in the memory bank as much as possible, the little changes I made and the batting rhythm I had.
"I've tried to keep hold of that for as long as possible but cricket is a funny old game. You never now what it is going to throw up at you.
"I'll stick to my practice routine and preparations and hopefully it gets me somewhere there or thereabouts.
"Second to that, I am able to offer help and advice as much as I can as well.
"I've got a really good relationship with all the guys, they've been very welcoming to me and very friendly and I think that I've got a relationship where I can offer some thoughts and advice without stepping on anyone's toes.
"I've come from a different environment so I've got some new thoughts and new ideas and I will pass those on.
"If the guys take them on board, then great, if they don't, then no dramas."
Gidman is ready now for the action to get underway after his first winter with his new team-mates.
He said: "I've been very lucky, I've played this game for a long time and I think this part of the year is exciting for any cricketer.
"But, particularly having moved and the few challenges that lie ahead for me, it's probably got a little bit of extra excitement but I'm looking forward to getting going.
"It was tough but it was just something I felt I needed to do for myself and thankfully Bumpy (Steve Rhodes) and David (Leatherdale) gave me a chance here.
"It was a bit of a no-brainer when I made my mind up that I needed to seek a new challenge and new environment. I've really enjoyed it, the guys have been fantastic.
"Naturally, any sportsman wants to keep challenging and testing themselves and I've had lots of different challenges at Gloucestershire through leadership and managing a younger group but it was the time I felt for a new challenge.
"As well as moving to a new environment, Division One cricket was something that I felt was the right time to give a whirl.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge, as we all are here. It's going to be a tough challenge but something we should really look forward to with real excitement.
"That's one of the things that really appealed to me. It's a really exciting place to be at the moment. The club is run really well, the team are really motivated, hungry and eager to learn and improve.
"It ticks all the boxes as far as improving is concerned. We know we're going to face some really tough challenges but we feel we are in a good place to overcome those and keep moving forward.
"That's the aim – to keep improving and learning as much as we can and as quickly as we can and we'll be alright."
