Tom Robinson [James Robinson]
BOURNEMOUTH get their ECB Southern Premier Division campaign underway when they host promoted Sarisbury Athletic, as the Lions aim to improve on last season’s disappointing ninth-placed finish.
With a new captain in Tom Robinson, a powerful overseas player in Ben Van Der Merwe at the top of the order and a blend of youth and experience, Bournemouth are eyeing a successful campaign.
Reflecting on last season and looking at the upcoming campaign, new skipper Robinson said they are aiming to make the small improvements that could make all the difference.
“I think a lot of games last year we felt like we probably lost by two or three per cent in most weeks,” Robinson said. “So I think it's trying to iron out a few of those issues, and hopefully we can end up on the right side of those results this year.”
The 26-year-old chartered accountant has plenty of experience with the team in the Southern Premier League, and is looking forward to leading the side.
“It’s a massive honour,” he said. “I’ve been at the club for eight or nine years now and been under some great captains and hopefully I'll take a little the best of all of them as we use our young group, which has got a lot of experience in the Southern Prem to take the club forward and do as well as we can.”
On the squad as a whole, Robinson said: “There's a lot of excitement in the group this year about the team.
“We’ve got a couple of new additions, in Jimmy Brehaut (a left-armer from Taunton Deane) and RJ [Jhala], who's moved up from the twos. Also, Will Murray from the uni, and then people like Alfie [Appleby-Ingram], who are a real rising star and one to watch for the future.”
Appleby-Ingram comes into the season in decent nick, following a score of 91 from the top of the order in a friendly defeat to Bashley (Rydal) last weekend.
James Van Gool also impressed with 72, while Cole Rushworth picked up three wickets and Brehaut two, along with one for Josiah Edy.
New overseas player Ben Van Der Merwe scored 16 – but Robinson is hoping for big things from the Western Province star this term.
“Hopefully [he’ll bring] a lot of runs and experience!” he said. “He's an awesome guy to have around the group. He's blended in already and he's fitting in great, so couldn't ask for any more at this point.”
Looking ahead to the visit of Sarisbury this weekend, Robinson knows it will a tough challenge to start the season against a promoted side from Division One.
“They’re new to the league so it'll be a new challenge for us, and I think that the group, we’ve just got to be ready to perform at a high level in our standards, regardless of what comes in Sarisbury’s team,” Robinson said.
Sarisbury have been seriously weakened by Tom Morton's decision to restrict his cricket to MCC and England 40s, the gloves being handed to Zimbabwe U19 opener Nathan Hiabangana. Batsman Joe Baker has switched from Totton & Eling, but Ricky Rawlins is missing.
Bournemouth: Alfie Appleby-Ingram, Ben Van Der Merwe, R J Jhala, James Van Gool, Ben Rogers, Tom Robinson, Connor Smith, Cole Rushworth, James Brehaut, Dan Conway, Josiah Edy.
Sarisbury Athletic: Rob Franklin, Nathan Hiabangana, Joe Baker, Jack Robson, Nathan Feltham, Josh Williams, Sam Cooper, Jordan Wright, Conor Clark, Sam Hill, Salsham Sharma.
With a new captain in Tom Robinson, a powerful overseas player in Ben Van Der Merwe at the top of the order and a blend of youth and experience, Bournemouth are eyeing a successful campaign.
Reflecting on last season and looking at the upcoming campaign, new skipper Robinson said they are aiming to make the small improvements that could make all the difference.
“I think a lot of games last year we felt like we probably lost by two or three per cent in most weeks,” Robinson said. “So I think it's trying to iron out a few of those issues, and hopefully we can end up on the right side of those results this year.”
The 26-year-old chartered accountant has plenty of experience with the team in the Southern Premier League, and is looking forward to leading the side.
“It’s a massive honour,” he said. “I’ve been at the club for eight or nine years now and been under some great captains and hopefully I'll take a little the best of all of them as we use our young group, which has got a lot of experience in the Southern Prem to take the club forward and do as well as we can.”
On the squad as a whole, Robinson said: “There's a lot of excitement in the group this year about the team.
“We’ve got a couple of new additions, in Jimmy Brehaut (a left-armer from Taunton Deane) and RJ [Jhala], who's moved up from the twos. Also, Will Murray from the uni, and then people like Alfie [Appleby-Ingram], who are a real rising star and one to watch for the future.”
Appleby-Ingram comes into the season in decent nick, following a score of 91 from the top of the order in a friendly defeat to Bashley (Rydal) last weekend.
James Van Gool also impressed with 72, while Cole Rushworth picked up three wickets and Brehaut two, along with one for Josiah Edy.
New overseas player Ben Van Der Merwe scored 16 – but Robinson is hoping for big things from the Western Province star this term.
“Hopefully [he’ll bring] a lot of runs and experience!” he said. “He's an awesome guy to have around the group. He's blended in already and he's fitting in great, so couldn't ask for any more at this point.”
Looking ahead to the visit of Sarisbury this weekend, Robinson knows it will a tough challenge to start the season against a promoted side from Division One.
“They’re new to the league so it'll be a new challenge for us, and I think that the group, we’ve just got to be ready to perform at a high level in our standards, regardless of what comes in Sarisbury’s team,” Robinson said.
Sarisbury have been seriously weakened by Tom Morton's decision to restrict his cricket to MCC and England 40s, the gloves being handed to Zimbabwe U19 opener Nathan Hiabangana. Batsman Joe Baker has switched from Totton & Eling, but Ricky Rawlins is missing.
Bournemouth: Alfie Appleby-Ingram, Ben Van Der Merwe, R J Jhala, James Van Gool, Ben Rogers, Tom Robinson, Connor Smith, Cole Rushworth, James Brehaut, Dan Conway, Josiah Edy.
Sarisbury Athletic: Rob Franklin, Nathan Hiabangana, Joe Baker, Jack Robson, Nathan Feltham, Josh Williams, Sam Cooper, Jordan Wright, Conor Clark, Sam Hill, Salsham Sharma.
