Dave Henderson is targeting promotion with his talented Portsmouth line-up.
The St Helens skipper reckons he has the quality and commitment required to mount at title challenge in Southern Electric Premier League Division 2. He steered the side to fourth spot last term but has recruited well, with Rich Locke joining from Portchester and Vikram Dawson returning from relegated Hursley Park, and 32-wicket Aussie Pat Burns back for a second stint.
Portsmouth launch their campaign with a home clash against Paultons, who debut Queenslander Chris Hill behind the stumps alongside former Fair Oak man Nigel Feltham.
Henderson said: ‘Last season we were stabilising, as the youngest team in the league. This year it is all about promotion. Those guys are a year older. The difference between 17 and 18 is huge. Three of them have had a winter away - in Australia and New Zealand. So they have had continuous cricket for the last 12 months. They are around all season because they don’t go to university until October. So I have got everyone saying they are available for 18 games, which is a novelty.’
All-rounder Locke, who made an encouraging debut in last weekend’s ECB Cup defeat by Middleton, is set to boost all departments of the side, while Burns has proved a popular figure at the seafront club after starring last term.
‘We have got Rich Locke from Portchester who, in pre-season, has looked really strong,’ added Henderson. ‘He is a batsman who bowls a bit of spin as well. We have got Pat back as well, which is brilliant.
Henderson is without regular first-team wicketkeeper Alex Hammond against Paultons, however, the Chester University gloveman is available for the rest of the campaign.
Newly promoted Bashley (Rydal) seconds will be without their inspirational captain Phil Morris for the Division 2 opener against relegated Hursley Park at the BCG.
Morris suffered a knee injury in Bashley's ECB Royal London Cup defeat by Burridge last weekend and hands over the captain's armband to Chris Gates.
Matt Mettam takes his bow as captain of Hursley, who have yo-yoed between Divisions 1 and 2 in the past two seasons.
Bashley (Rydal) II: Friedman, Ridley, Maher, Neal, R.Taylor, N.Taylor, S.Morris, Eede, Bettle, Gates, Read.
Hursley Park: Mettam, Storey, Tennant, Revetto, Branford, Lee, Wheeler, Marks, Green, Sutherland, Ford.
Paul Kruger, Fawley's overseas signing from Brisbane, suffered an injury to his lower back last weekend and remains a doubt against OTs & Romsey at Holbury.
Joe Locke is on stand-by for Fawley, who are without Paul Marks and Dave Streather from last season's relegated side.
Fawley: Gates, K Earl, Parratt, E Earl, Royan, Drodge, C Earl, Woolgar, Smith, Godden, Locke, Kruger.
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The St Helens skipper reckons he has the quality and commitment required to mount at title challenge in Southern Electric Premier League Division 2. He steered the side to fourth spot last term but has recruited well, with Rich Locke joining from Portchester and Vikram Dawson returning from relegated Hursley Park, and 32-wicket Aussie Pat Burns back for a second stint.
Portsmouth launch their campaign with a home clash against Paultons, who debut Queenslander Chris Hill behind the stumps alongside former Fair Oak man Nigel Feltham.
Henderson said: ‘Last season we were stabilising, as the youngest team in the league. This year it is all about promotion. Those guys are a year older. The difference between 17 and 18 is huge. Three of them have had a winter away - in Australia and New Zealand. So they have had continuous cricket for the last 12 months. They are around all season because they don’t go to university until October. So I have got everyone saying they are available for 18 games, which is a novelty.’
All-rounder Locke, who made an encouraging debut in last weekend’s ECB Cup defeat by Middleton, is set to boost all departments of the side, while Burns has proved a popular figure at the seafront club after starring last term.
‘We have got Rich Locke from Portchester who, in pre-season, has looked really strong,’ added Henderson. ‘He is a batsman who bowls a bit of spin as well. We have got Pat back as well, which is brilliant.
Henderson is without regular first-team wicketkeeper Alex Hammond against Paultons, however, the Chester University gloveman is available for the rest of the campaign.
Newly promoted Bashley (Rydal) seconds will be without their inspirational captain Phil Morris for the Division 2 opener against relegated Hursley Park at the BCG.
Morris suffered a knee injury in Bashley's ECB Royal London Cup defeat by Burridge last weekend and hands over the captain's armband to Chris Gates.
Matt Mettam takes his bow as captain of Hursley, who have yo-yoed between Divisions 1 and 2 in the past two seasons.
Bashley (Rydal) II: Friedman, Ridley, Maher, Neal, R.Taylor, N.Taylor, S.Morris, Eede, Bettle, Gates, Read.
Hursley Park: Mettam, Storey, Tennant, Revetto, Branford, Lee, Wheeler, Marks, Green, Sutherland, Ford.
Paul Kruger, Fawley's overseas signing from Brisbane, suffered an injury to his lower back last weekend and remains a doubt against OTs & Romsey at Holbury.
Joe Locke is on stand-by for Fawley, who are without Paul Marks and Dave Streather from last season's relegated side.
Fawley: Gates, K Earl, Parratt, E Earl, Royan, Drodge, C Earl, Woolgar, Smith, Godden, Locke, Kruger.
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