JAMES Foster says there is a “good vibe” as he enters his second full season as skipper at Essex.

Foster endured a difficult season in charge last summer, but is only looking forward.

He said: “This season is a new season and from a team point of view we have had a very good winter.

“A lot of guys have gone abroad, training and working hard in South Africa, Australia and India, and those that haven’t have been training pretty hard here since the start of January.

“There is a very good vibe about the camp at the moment. We are very excited about the season.

“I am sure it has been our best pre-season we have ever had – from the quality of our performance, our training, our work ethic and the matches we have played so far have gone really well.

“So personally I am delighted and I know the guys are very pleased as well, but ultimately it is about how you perform in the main matches and that all starts on Thursday.

“It is a long season, and in the first couple of months there is a lot of cricket to be played, so fingers crossed we can get ahead of the game.”

Foster said players had been working hard in the off-season, in order to improve this summer, after the disappointments of last season.

“I think guys have gone away and worked very hard individually and look like they have come back better players. Cricket is a team game, but it is played by individuals and it is looking good at the moment.”

Asked if he had improved as a captain, Foster replied: “I think so – I hope so – but I guess it is a question you would have to ask the lads, not me.

“I am always wanting to learn. Individually as a cricketer I am always trying to improve my game and the same goes for the captaincy side. It is not just about the stuff on the field – the main bulk of it is off the field and having to deal with the man-management side. There is a lot that goes on, but I am enjoying the challenge.”

As for his targets for the season Foster said: “I want us to win every game – I want us to be a successful team.

“At the end of the season we will be able to tell if we have had a successful season or not.

“It would be nice to win some silverware, but we want to win cricket games, and in theory if you win them then you are not going to be far away.”