Ben Draper, who will skipper South Wilts in Southern Premier League Cup. Roy Honeybone picture.
Ben Draper will captain South Wilts in the newly created Southern Premier League Cup, a 40-overs competition which will last for nine weeks and culminate in a final in mid-September.
The 22-year old batsman/wicketkeeper will step into the shoes vacated by regular first team skipper Tom Morton, who will be undertaking a hands-on coaching role from the boundary.
Explaining the decision to hand Draper the captain’s armband, club chairman Rob Wade said: “South Wilts has a long tradition of producing its own players and in trying to find some positives from this truncated season, we are keen to give even more opportunities to our young players.
“Ben has the support of Tom Morton and the senior players and will captain the side, alongside vice-captain Jack Mynott when he returns from his teaching post in Kenya.
“Be prepared to see new faces in the first XI this season, all from our junior production line."
With South Wilts having an opening round bye in the League Cup, Draper will make his captaincy bow in Saturday’s friendly match against Burbage at Bemerton.
The opening league cup match is at Lymington (July 25), after which South Wilts will play New Milton, St Cross Symondians, Totton & Eling, Calmore Sports, Bashley (Rydal) and Andover.
They are in the Premier/Division 1 West group, the winners of which will play the top East Division side in the final on September 19.
South Wilts II play their opening Division 2/3 West group match at Paultons on Saturday (12.30).
South Wilts II: Rob Pittman (captain), Ed Wade, George Edwards, Steve Riddle, Sam Litchfield, Sam Pittman, Ben Howgrave-Graham, Nick Partridge, Jayden Atkinson, Jack Richards, Will Hewlett.
The 22-year old batsman/wicketkeeper will step into the shoes vacated by regular first team skipper Tom Morton, who will be undertaking a hands-on coaching role from the boundary.
Explaining the decision to hand Draper the captain’s armband, club chairman Rob Wade said: “South Wilts has a long tradition of producing its own players and in trying to find some positives from this truncated season, we are keen to give even more opportunities to our young players.
“Ben has the support of Tom Morton and the senior players and will captain the side, alongside vice-captain Jack Mynott when he returns from his teaching post in Kenya.
“Be prepared to see new faces in the first XI this season, all from our junior production line."
With South Wilts having an opening round bye in the League Cup, Draper will make his captaincy bow in Saturday’s friendly match against Burbage at Bemerton.
The opening league cup match is at Lymington (July 25), after which South Wilts will play New Milton, St Cross Symondians, Totton & Eling, Calmore Sports, Bashley (Rydal) and Andover.
They are in the Premier/Division 1 West group, the winners of which will play the top East Division side in the final on September 19.
South Wilts II play their opening Division 2/3 West group match at Paultons on Saturday (12.30).
South Wilts II: Rob Pittman (captain), Ed Wade, George Edwards, Steve Riddle, Sam Litchfield, Sam Pittman, Ben Howgrave-Graham, Nick Partridge, Jayden Atkinson, Jack Richards, Will Hewlett.
