James Hayward is to step into Tom Morton’s shoes and skipper four-time ECB Southern Premier League champions South Wilts this summer.
Morton has left the Bemerton club after ten successful seasons to take up an appointment as Director of Cricket at top Middlesex Premier League club Ealing in West London.
Taking charge again will be nothing new for Hayward, pictured, who skippered South Wilts for six seasons between 2007 and 2013 before Morton took over.
The 29-year old led South Wilts to the 2012 and 2013 Premier Division titles, also celebrating a twenty20 triumph in his final season at the helm.
“Trying to create an unprecedented record by winning the SPL title for a fifth season in a row is a massive ask, but I’m up for the challenge,” said the charismatic all-rounder.
“Tom’s departure has left a huge hole for us to fill, both in the batting and wicket-keeping departments, but it’s opened up opportunities for our youngsters – and there are plenty of them around.”
Morton scored a staggering 5,900 runs in his time at South Wilts, including 17 centuries and 27 scores of fifty or more.
But South Wilts, whose Southampton Solent University leg spin bowler Jake Foley is returning to his old Colchester & East Essex haunts to play, have wasted little time in recruiting a replacement opening batsman.
Instead of having Western Australia’s Ryan Duffield as their overseas player, South Wilts have gone to Adelaide and lined up a top teenage batsman to play for them this season.
“No names yet because we haven’t quite tied up the deal, but the lad we’ve lined up played in the recent Australia Under-19 state championships and has a fine pedigree in youth cricket.” Hayward said.
“We should have things sorted fairly soon, so watch this space, as they say.”
Sam Pittman, who won last season’s Premier Division 3 wicket-keeping award for South Wilts’ title winning second team, is expected to take Morton’s place behind the stumps.
Morton has left the Bemerton club after ten successful seasons to take up an appointment as Director of Cricket at top Middlesex Premier League club Ealing in West London.
Taking charge again will be nothing new for Hayward, pictured, who skippered South Wilts for six seasons between 2007 and 2013 before Morton took over.
The 29-year old led South Wilts to the 2012 and 2013 Premier Division titles, also celebrating a twenty20 triumph in his final season at the helm.
“Trying to create an unprecedented record by winning the SPL title for a fifth season in a row is a massive ask, but I’m up for the challenge,” said the charismatic all-rounder.
“Tom’s departure has left a huge hole for us to fill, both in the batting and wicket-keeping departments, but it’s opened up opportunities for our youngsters – and there are plenty of them around.”
Morton scored a staggering 5,900 runs in his time at South Wilts, including 17 centuries and 27 scores of fifty or more.
But South Wilts, whose Southampton Solent University leg spin bowler Jake Foley is returning to his old Colchester & East Essex haunts to play, have wasted little time in recruiting a replacement opening batsman.
Instead of having Western Australia’s Ryan Duffield as their overseas player, South Wilts have gone to Adelaide and lined up a top teenage batsman to play for them this season.
“No names yet because we haven’t quite tied up the deal, but the lad we’ve lined up played in the recent Australia Under-19 state championships and has a fine pedigree in youth cricket.” Hayward said.
“We should have things sorted fairly soon, so watch this space, as they say.”
Sam Pittman, who won last season’s Premier Division 3 wicket-keeping award for South Wilts’ title winning second team, is expected to take Morton’s place behind the stumps.
