 Enthused with the new responsibility of taking the new ball for Hampshire in 2006, Bruce performed brilliantly in the early stages of the season, taking a career best 5-43 against champions Nottinghamshire at the Rose Bowl in June 2006.He impressed further with a destructive opening spell of 7-2-14-3 against the touring West Indies 'A' side in August 2006.Hampshire awarded him his county cap at the end of the 2006 season and he was also mentioned as Cricinfo's 'Rising Star' for his county.