Relegated Old Tauntonians & Romsey will have all-rounder Rob Newman at the helm as they bid to regain their lost British Gas Southern Cricket League Division 1 status next summer.
Newman, who graduated with a first class honours degree in Bsc Sport and Exercise Science from Exeter University this year, takes over from Keith Trodd, who will concentrate on his wicket-keeping duties.
"Our aim is to bounce back and compete for promotion straight back to Premier 1," he said.
"The ten team league format means every game is competitive and starting the season positively will be key to us having a successful season.
"We have been historically slow starters in the last four years and have often left it late in the season to start stringing performances together.
"We will be working hard over the winter to put ourselves in the best position to do this with sessions starting early in the New Year."
Among OTs opponents next season will be local rivals Langley Manor, Totton & Eling and Trojans.
Newman, now a Science teacher at The Sholing Technology College in Southampton, has played his cricket Romsey since five years of age.
"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to take over the captaincy," he added.
"The club has provided me with countless opportunities and years of enjoyment and I am looking forward to being able to lead a group of young talented players in the next stage of the club's history.
"We have a side full of talent and have seen glimpses of what the side can do but have yet to put many complete performances together as a side.
"With a young side we struggled at key times during games this summer, often not being clinical especially with the bat and losing key passages of games.
"The loss of key players in Hampshire's Chris Wood and Dan Mogg before the season started didn't help us. Both are working there way back to full fitness and are hoping to be ready for the start of the summer.
"Having Woody in the side provides us all with a confidence lift so we are looking forward to having him back next year.
"With youngsters like Harry Tulk, Matt Bampton, Elliot Mitchel-Lee, Lewis Allen and my younger brother Pete all contributing in games this season, it is hoped that I can provide them with the environment for them all to be making match winning performances regularly."
Newman, who graduated with a first class honours degree in Bsc Sport and Exercise Science from Exeter University this year, takes over from Keith Trodd, who will concentrate on his wicket-keeping duties.
"Our aim is to bounce back and compete for promotion straight back to Premier 1," he said.
"The ten team league format means every game is competitive and starting the season positively will be key to us having a successful season.
"We have been historically slow starters in the last four years and have often left it late in the season to start stringing performances together.
"We will be working hard over the winter to put ourselves in the best position to do this with sessions starting early in the New Year."
Among OTs opponents next season will be local rivals Langley Manor, Totton & Eling and Trojans.
Newman, now a Science teacher at The Sholing Technology College in Southampton, has played his cricket Romsey since five years of age.
"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to take over the captaincy," he added.
"The club has provided me with countless opportunities and years of enjoyment and I am looking forward to being able to lead a group of young talented players in the next stage of the club's history.
"We have a side full of talent and have seen glimpses of what the side can do but have yet to put many complete performances together as a side.
"With a young side we struggled at key times during games this summer, often not being clinical especially with the bat and losing key passages of games.
"The loss of key players in Hampshire's Chris Wood and Dan Mogg before the season started didn't help us. Both are working there way back to full fitness and are hoping to be ready for the start of the summer.
"Having Woody in the side provides us all with a confidence lift so we are looking forward to having him back next year.
"With youngsters like Harry Tulk, Matt Bampton, Elliot Mitchel-Lee, Lewis Allen and my younger brother Pete all contributing in games this season, it is hoped that I can provide them with the environment for them all to be making match winning performances regularly."
