Hose: "I very much hope to stay up top"

The freescoring right-hander was promoted to open the batting in the last two group matches last year and responded with one of the best T20 knocks ever played for the Bears - a blistering 119 from 64 balls against Northants Steelbacks at Edgbaston.

The signing of West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite means the Bears' middle-order has serious firepower in this year's Blast. Hose is aiming to provide similar fireworks at the top.

"The Steelbacks game was a strange one because it was so disappointing the way it ended for us but, from a personal point of view, I was very happy with the way I played. You do take confidence from a knock like that.

"It showed that you don't necessarily have to get off to a flying start. You can take a look, if necessary, as it was that day because we lost early wickets. I am not going to change the way I play, I'll always look to put pressure on the bowlers straight away, but you can take a bit of time and then build momentum later on.

Brathwaite's Caribbean flair is sure to bring plenty of joy to the Bears fans, though they will also be delighted if the home-grown youngsters continue to play in a big role.

Hose's scintillating century against the Steelbacks would probably not have happened without superb support from 19-year-old Dan Mousley who scored 58 not out (44 balls) in their stand of 171 in 16.3 overs.

"Dan showed what a brilliant prospect he is," he said. "He played a couple of really good innings last year in pressure situations - he made a very good 40 against Worcestershire as well.