Norfolk will be aiming to carry their fine end to last term into this weekend's Minor Counties Championship opener at Northumberland.

The side won three of their last four games and only the rain denied them a 100pc finish to the 2013 campaign. So Chris Brown remains confident his side can pick up where they left off when they kick start their quest for three-day supremacy this year at Tynemouth.

Norfolk's skipper said: 'We've worked hard in the winter and we've netted well. Some guys are in decent form for their club sides.

'I love county-championship cricket and we ended last season really strongly. So we're looking to get off to a good start.'

Brown is without Callum Taylor, Sam Arthurton, Kieran Bunting, Stephen Gray and Jordan Taylor for the match – which begins tomorrow. But Norfolk have still been left with a powerful line-up thanks to the strength in depth of talent across the region.

'A lot of people on the committee mentioned it's still a very strong team even with the players we have missing,' said Brown.

'We've picked an 11 that can go out there and still be very competitive. We have been playing one-day stuff of late (Unicorns Knockout Trophy) so the mindset will have to be different.

'For the bowlers it's about controlling and taking wickets when you can. We've been good at that the last few years so we're looking to continue.'

Norfolk chased down 261 to win a great game last time out against Northumberland with the unavailable Taylor and Brown leading their side to victory.

Norfolk's skipper added: 'We batted really well against Northumberland last year in the first of our Festival games. It was a really exciting finish.

'The way we finished showed quite a lot of heart.'

Taylor scored 48 not out while Brown struck an unbeaten 31.