GLAMORGAN'S Gwent wicketkeeper Mark Wallace is hoping to perform well with both bat and gloves this season in a bid to force himself into England contention - even if it is at the expense of his great mate Geraint Jones.

Wallace, 24, has returned in good spirits after banishing thoughts of Glamorgan's dismal campaign last season by playing grade cricket in Brisbane, Australia, over the winter.

It has left him feeling confident about the coming season and about his chances of eventually following Simon Jones into the Test team.

He said: "The grade cricket in Australia is a good standard and very competitive and I feel fresh and energised for the new season ahead.

"Last season was very hard, but in a way a horrendous season that makes you sit up and take notice is better than a slow and steady decline, because we know we have a lot of talent at Glamorgan and we have grown up together as a side."

"I want to have an improved season personally, because obviously my ambition is Test cricket.

"I am the same as everyone, my ultimate goal is to play for England and I still have time on my side, with a good run of form, who knows?"

"You can spend a career stuck behind an Alec Stewart or an Adam Gilchrist and would never get a look in with regards to playing international cricket," he said.

"But as it is now, there would be an opening if Geraint doesn't play as well as he would hope.

"But I think he had his best few Tests ever in India and Pakistan, obviously he's a great mate of mine (the pair played together in Gwent and Wallace recommended Jones to Kent) and I enjoy seeing him do well."

New overseas batsman Mark Cosgrove will miss the opening match of the season against Essex on Sunday in the C&G Trophy and the first County Championship clash of the season after getting a call-up to the Australian one-day squad.

"I only found out about 1.30am on Easter Monday that I had been called up, but obviously I am really excited about that," he said.

"It gives me a chance to cement a place in the side, I need to score plenty of runs if I get a chance and then I need to score loads of runs for Glamorgan as well, so the selectors don't forget about me."

Cosgrove has had no trouble settling in at Sophia Gardens and is looking forward to his first taste of county cricket.

He explained: "I can't wait to get out there and get started, it has been a bit of a whirlwind since I arrived here, but I can't wait to get started.

"Obviously I wasn't the original choice as batsman, but Matthew Elliott isn't available and I will look to take my chance.

"The dressing room is an easy one to settle into and the banter in the dressing room is just like it is back in Australia, so I have found it easy to settle in.

"I haven't set any targets, I want to make an impact in whatever I do and I am not one for putting a big pressure on myself, I will take each game as it comes and can't wait to get going."