NEW Middlesex coach Toby Radford wants his side to make an instant impact in their quest for promotion in the County Championship, writes Patrick Mooney. The Lord s outfit just missed out on promotion to the top flight last season but had the consolation

NEW Middlesex coach Toby Radford wants his side to make an instant impact in their quest for promotion in the County Championship, writes Patrick Mooney.

The Lord's outfit just missed out on promotion to the top flight last season but had the consolation of going up in the one-day Pro40 competition.

"We've got to hit the season running," Radford told Wood&Vale Sport. "Let's not wait until half-way through the season, let's play from day one.

"Our main aspiration this season is promotion in the County Championship. We feel that Middlesex being a big London club should be in the first division."

Former Academy coach Radford, who took over first team duties when Richard Pybus left towards the end of last season, is pleased with pre-season preparations.

"We had a week in Portugal, which included a bit of team building, some hard physical work, plus some fielding," said Radford

l Middlesex have signed Australian left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes and South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander for the forthcoming season. The pair will replace Friedel de Wet and Ashley Noffke.