One-time Hampshire twenty20 pinch-hitter Mitchell Stokes will captain Basingstoke & North Hants in the Southern Premier League this summer.
It will be the 28-year old all-rounder's second spell in charge at May's Bounty, having captained Basingstoke in the Thames Valley League for two seasons in 2007 and 2008, writes Mike Vimpany.
Stokes takes over from opening batsman Chris Froud, who led Basingstoke to the Division 2 title in 2014 and third place in SPL1 last season.
His appointment has already had a positive spin-off for the Bountymen, with at least three fresh faces set to join the club.
Matt King, who cut his teeth in junior cricket at the club, has rejoined from Weybridge and will be joined by Hartley Wintney opening bowler Chris Jolley and Dan Belcher, the hard-hitting Old Basing batsman.
“Our aim for 2016 is to get promoted into the ECB Premier Division,” Stokes says.
He regards Matt King’s return to May’s Bounty as a “main priority.
“I haven’t seen Matt play for a few seasons, but he’s had a fantastic experience of being with the MCC Young Cricketers at Lord’s for the past two seasons and has been playing a very decent standard of cricket with Weybridge in the Surrey Championship,” he said.
“Matt’s had a few injury issues, but if he stays fit, he’ll be a major player for us, with a number six position in the batting order complimenting his pace bowling.”
With King, Chris Jolley and Martyn James all vying for the new ball, Basingstoke should boast a potent pace attack.
Stokes is also please to recruit one-time Bounty junior Dan Belcher.
“He’s just stepped down as been captain at Old Basing and wants to have a crack at playing a higher standard of cricket.
“Dan’s an aggressive opening batsman who has the potential to be a very decent all-rounder,” Stokes added.
Belcher scored over 1,000 Hampshire League runs in his time at Old Basing.
Basingstoke are also believed to be lining up an Australian overseas cricketer for the new season.
“But we’re not announcing any names until the ink is dry on the deal,” Stokes said.
Promotion into the ECB accredited Premier Division is Stokes’s aim for 2016.
“The lads are buzzing for the season to start and competition for places is something the club hasn’t had for a while,” he said.
“Our aim is to get promoted from Division 1, but we need to be mentally stronger when it comes to our batting and build partnerships.
“We gave our wickets away too easily last season.”
Basingstoke’s opening Southern Premier League Division 1 match this summer will be against Sarisbury Athletic on May 7, prior to which they will face Totton & Eling in the ECB Royal London Cup at Southern Gardens.
It will be the 28-year old all-rounder's second spell in charge at May's Bounty, having captained Basingstoke in the Thames Valley League for two seasons in 2007 and 2008, writes Mike Vimpany.
Stokes takes over from opening batsman Chris Froud, who led Basingstoke to the Division 2 title in 2014 and third place in SPL1 last season.
His appointment has already had a positive spin-off for the Bountymen, with at least three fresh faces set to join the club.
Matt King, who cut his teeth in junior cricket at the club, has rejoined from Weybridge and will be joined by Hartley Wintney opening bowler Chris Jolley and Dan Belcher, the hard-hitting Old Basing batsman.
“Our aim for 2016 is to get promoted into the ECB Premier Division,” Stokes says.
He regards Matt King’s return to May’s Bounty as a “main priority.
“I haven’t seen Matt play for a few seasons, but he’s had a fantastic experience of being with the MCC Young Cricketers at Lord’s for the past two seasons and has been playing a very decent standard of cricket with Weybridge in the Surrey Championship,” he said.
“Matt’s had a few injury issues, but if he stays fit, he’ll be a major player for us, with a number six position in the batting order complimenting his pace bowling.”
With King, Chris Jolley and Martyn James all vying for the new ball, Basingstoke should boast a potent pace attack.
Stokes is also please to recruit one-time Bounty junior Dan Belcher.
“He’s just stepped down as been captain at Old Basing and wants to have a crack at playing a higher standard of cricket.
“Dan’s an aggressive opening batsman who has the potential to be a very decent all-rounder,” Stokes added.
Belcher scored over 1,000 Hampshire League runs in his time at Old Basing.
Basingstoke are also believed to be lining up an Australian overseas cricketer for the new season.
“But we’re not announcing any names until the ink is dry on the deal,” Stokes said.
Promotion into the ECB accredited Premier Division is Stokes’s aim for 2016.
“The lads are buzzing for the season to start and competition for places is something the club hasn’t had for a while,” he said.
“Our aim is to get promoted from Division 1, but we need to be mentally stronger when it comes to our batting and build partnerships.
“We gave our wickets away too easily last season.”
Basingstoke’s opening Southern Premier League Division 1 match this summer will be against Sarisbury Athletic on May 7, prior to which they will face Totton & Eling in the ECB Royal London Cup at Southern Gardens.
