Hampshire chose 12 for vital CricInfo match with Middlesex.

Francis could make fc debut Photo Vic Isaacs

In days gone bye, with just two matches to go the vast majority of County side would be going through the motions, waiting for the end of the season.

"Not nowadays", says Hampshire's Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett. "Our match against Middlesex starting Wednesday (10:30am) at The Rose Bowl is vital to our promotion hopes, and even to our hopes of winning the CricInfo 2nd Division title. We have no major injury worries going into this vital match."

John Francis is included and may make his first-class debut for Hampshire

Hampshire chose from 12 players: Derek Kenway, Giles White, Will Kendall, Robin Smith (c), Neil Johnson, John Francis, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Adi Aymes (w/k), Shaun Udal, Alex Morris, Chris Tremlett, Alan Mullally.