LEWIS HATCHETT is determined to ditch his tag as Sussex’s nearly man this season.

The left-arm seamer has endured a stop-start career since being earmarked as the new Jason Lewry when he broke into the first team at Hove six years ago.

Injuries and form have meant Hatchett has been unable to cement a place in the side since his Championship debut against Middlesex in 2010 and it looked like being another frustrating campaign when he was overlooked for the opening three games of the summer.

The 26-year-old from Upper Beeding was recalled for the draw at Derbyshire last week and grabbed the opportunity with both hands by claiming 5-58 to bowl the hosts out for 191 in their first innings.

Rain prevented Hatchett building on that eye-catching performance in the second innings but he will look to further impress head coach Mark Davis when Sussex travel to Worcestershire tomorrow.

Hatchett said: “I’d really targeted the first few games of the season so it was a bit frustrating to miss out. I felt I was bowling really well and had improved on all the areas I wanted to over the winter but sometimes you have to wait for your chance.

“Of course you are annoyed but it was explained that it wasn’t because I wasn’t good enough. They decided to go with a different style of bowling in the first few games and George (Garton) has a bit more pace while my strength is swinging the ball.

“The message I got from Jon Lewis (assistant coach) was to keep doing what I was doing and my chance would come. Then it was up to me to make the most of it and fortunately I was able to do that at Derby.

“I just want to play as many games as possible this year in all formats as I’ve never really had a full season playing week in week out due to injuries before. I feel as physically strong as I ever have so I really want to make a push forward this season.”

Hatchett enjoyed his best season in 2014 taking 22 wickets in eight Championship games but his injury curse struck once again that winter.

A back injury suffered while training in Barbados meant he was sidelined until the final two games of the season as Sussex were relegated from division one.

Hatchett added: “I’d finished the 2014 season really strongly and felt I was on the brink of realising my potential when I suffered that injury. It was really frustrating so last winter I made it my goal to get in the best shape I have ever been to give me a better chance of staying fit.

“I went to Australia to play for Southern Districts in Adelaide and it set me up brilliantly for the season. It is the fourth time I have been there (2008, 2009 and 2012) and it was just a case of getting some overs under my belt as I hadn’t played much.

“I also learned a lot about my game as you are self-sufficient rather than looking to a coach all the time to tell you what to do. Obviously the club sends you programmes to follow but when things don’t go right with your bowling you have to work it out for yourself.”

Ben Brown will lead the side once again at Worcestershire with skipper Luke Wright still sidelined by a combination of wrist and back injuries while Chris Jordan remains unavailable as he is playing in the IPL.

Ajmal Shahzad could come back into contention after missing the game at Derbyshire with a side strain but Sussex are expected to name an unchanged side.

Squad: Briggs, Brown, Finch, Garton, Hatchett, Joyce, Machan, Magoffin, Nash, Robinson, Shahzad, Taylor, Wells, Whittingham.