STUART Law believes that Lancashire have a chance to make a new start to recover from a "shambolic" season.

The 36-year-old batsman, Lancashire's new vice-captain, is looking for promotion back to the County Championship First Division following relegation.

He will work alongside new captain Mark Chilton, appointed after Warren Hegg's decision to step down.

And Law is itching to help Lancashire regain their place in the top flight, having missed a large chunk of last season with a back problem.

"It was a shambolic season," Law said. "It's up to us to turn it around, and that starts now -- we have to begin planning for the future. We can really capitalise on this new start.

"I think good teams always learn from their defeats, but we've got to work hard to bounce back from last season."

Law will bring plenty of experience to his role, having captained Queensland to domestic title glory in his native Australia.

"It was a great honour to captain Queensland, and take them from being the laughing stock of the domestic scene to the most successful team. They had won nothing when I took over, and during the next 10 years, they won everything.

"Whatever my role, I just want to do well. I hate losing; I want to win every game. That is the incentive for me to succeed."

Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson believes that Law's experience will be valuable in helping 28-year-old Chilton settle into the captain's job.

"Stuart had a lot of success with Queensland," Watkinson said. "He will offer Mark the tactical expertise which will make his job easier."

Law is not expecting an easy season, though, despite Lancashire's drop in status.

Every team wanted to claim their scalp when they were made First Division title favourites going into last season, and he reasons that every team will still want to claim their scalp as the big name in Division Two.

"Nobody wanted us to beat them last season," he said. "We wanted to wipe the floor with them, but they wouldn't let us. It will be the same this year, but we have to be prepared for that."

There is little doubt that Lancashire missed Law's batting skills during their slump towards relegation.

Law expects to find out shortly whether his application for UK citizenship has been accepted.

If it is, then he will no longer be considered as one of Lancashire's two permitted overseas players.

Watkinson has brought in Australian batsman Brad Hodge from Leicestershire to link up with Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan for next season, on the assumption that Law's citizenship will come through.

In the meantime, Law wants to be sure he is fully rested in time for the start of pre-season training in December, so that he can avoid a repeat of last season's injury problems.

"I think the injury came from not getting enough rest before the start of last season, so I'll be concentrating on getting that right," he said.

"I'm desperate to put things right after last season. It wasn't one of my greatest years, especially with being out for a month-and-a-half with a back injury.

"But I'm looking forward to helping this club get back to where they belong, which is in the First Division."