FOR Reece Topley, winning County Championship matches with Hampshire will mean more than any white-ball success.

So much so that the England international has joked he will have a tattoo of the Specsavers County Championship trophy inked on his right arm if Hampshire win the thing for the first time in 43 years this summer.

After winning his first 16 England limited-overs caps in the last six months, it is all too easy to bracket Topley as a white-ball specialist.

Especially as it is nine months since he made the last of his 31 first-class appearances.

But the 22 year-old, whose move from Essex was confirmed before last season’s Great Escape, is having none of it.

“I average 25 in red ball cricket and want to become the first left-armer to take 100 Test wickets for England,” he said.

“Moving to Hampshire can help me achieve that. My record in all forms of the game is pretty good so I wouldn’t want to be labelled a one-day cricketer.”

Despite injuries to Gareth Berg and Ryan Stevenson, Topley may not make his Hampshire debut in the opening game against Warwickshire on Sunday as he concentrates on building his fitness for the longer form, having returned from the World T20 earlier this week.

“I don’t know if I’m playing on Sunday yet,” he admits. “The red ball’s been coming out nicely, I’ve been practising hitting that length a couple of yards nearer the batsman and if I was to be thrown the ball on Sunday I would have no qualms about playing.

“It’s just a fitness thing, going from four overs a game to 40 a match is a big step up.

“But it’s a very good attack whoever plays. Fidel [Edwards] was a massive success last year, Ryan McLaren also has a lot of international experience, Brad Wheal looks a good prospect, Tomo [James Tomlinson] is tried and tested, Mason [Crane] is the best young spinner I’ve seen and you can throw Daws’ the ball at any stage.”

Hampshire are wary of taking any unnecessary risks with 6ft 7in Topley, given the back injuries he has had to overcome in recent years.

But when he does make his debut he will be champing at the bit to add to an impressive first-class record of 125 wickets at 25.78 apiece.

“Taking wickets is what I live off and I’m looking forward to contributing,” he said.

“A win in four-day cricket out does any win in one-day cricket. “It’s such a good feeling. I wouldn’t say it’s any more or less important, but you’re on so much more of a high after winning a four-day game.

“It’s something you value more as bowling a side out twice is much harder than chasing 130 on a flat wicket.”