Middlesex's final-day victory over Northants seven months ago, which earned promotion in the Pro40 League, could prove to be the start of something big for a county that has spent far too long in the doldrums.

Steve Finn, the 19-year-old fast bowler who is already being tipped as an England player of the future, set Middlesex on the road to success that day with three wickets and the 6ft 8in paceman is among a crop of promising youngsters at Lord's.

Opener Billy Godleman, also 19, is another who can go far, but if the county are to make real progress this season - and promotion to Division One of the championship must be top of the 'to do' list - then some older soldiers will need to lead from the front.

Eyebrows were raised when Middlesex lost Jamie Dalrymple to Glamorgan and replaced him with fellow off-spinner Shaun Udal - especially as the 39-year-old had not only left Hampshire but announced his retirement a few months earlier.

Now Udal, who could have still been at Hampshire if they had realised that Shane Warne was not coming back this season, is bursting with enthusiasm and eager to repay his new employers.

"I didn't really think about it properly and retired without exploring other avenues," said the former England bowler.

"But then Middlesex and a couple of others got in touch and I realised the burning desire to play was still there. I know I still want to play and I still think I can do a good job.

"I'm not interested in resting or rotating - as long as I'm fit and in good enough form to justify my place I want to play every possible game in all competitions."

It has not escaped Udal's attention that Middlesex's top six "is as good as any in the country". But now is the time for batsmen like Ed Smith, Owais Shah, Ed Joyce and, when available, Andrew Strauss to punch their weight.

As for the bowlers, Udal, Chris Silverwood, 33, and Alan Richardson, 32, can give plenty of senior service to the likes of Finn and Indian spinner Murali Kartik.