LLOYD Sabin believes age will be no issue as he prepares to embark on his first season as Banbury captain.

The 21-year-old batsman has taken over from Luke Ryan as the north Oxfordshire side’s skipper.

Sabin has been at the club since he was five-years-old and said he had no hesitation in accepting the challenge of leading the side.

He said: “I am relatively young for a captain, but I feel I am ready.

“I have been around the side for five or six years and feel like one of the senior members – age is no issue.

“I am a believer that if you think you can do the job you are ready and I felt I was ready.”

Banbury finished second in Division 1 last year behind High Wycombe and travel to Harefield for the first game of the season tomorrow.

But Sabin insists his side are not thinking about challenging for the title just yet and will be fully focused on short-term goals.

“We are not trying to look too far ahead. We don’t want to think about the outcome at the end of the season,” said Sabin.

“I am sure we will be there or thereabouts.

“We definitely have a good enough side and the ability to push for the title, but the aim for us is to take each game as it comes.”

Australia under 19 batsman Kurtis Patterson has replaced countryman Tim Paine as Banbury’s oversees player.

Sabin added: “Kurtis is going to be a great addition.

“He looks a really good player and I am sure he will fit in the side and perform straight away.”

PLAYERS IN

K Patterson (New South Wales).

PLAYERS OUT

T Paine (Tasmanian Tigers), C Keegan (unattached).

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Darby, Haupt, Patterson, Sabin, West, Hawtin, Ryan, Penhale, Wright, Hill, Taylor.

ANDY Harris admits a mid-table finish would do nicely for Great & Little Tew as they embark on their debut season in Division 1.

Tew, who won Division 2 last year, begin their campaign at Henley on Saturday.

Captain Harris believes his side can spring a few surprises, but is under no illusions about what the main aim is.

“We would like to make sure we are still in the division next year,” said seamer Harris.

“It would be nice to have a season to try and consolidate our position.

“As long as we’re mid-table, it would be a successful season.”

Tew have bolstered their squad, with top-order batsman Henry Woodward joining from Tiddington and Australian all-rounder Dain Moreton signing as their oversees player.

Harris added: “We have not got any stand-out performers.

“Everyone can produce a matchwinning performance.

“We never rely on individuals and it is about our team ethic which has taken us this far over the last five or six years.”

Opener Joe White is fit to play against Henley after fracturing his wrist.

And Harris believes facing a side who finished third last season will be a good test.

He said: “They are one of the teams everyone tries to judge themselves against and we will see where we are.”

PLAYERS IN

H Woodward (Tiddington), D Moreton (Perth).

PLAYERS OUT

None.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Harris, Hubbert, White, Woodward, Moreton, Smith, Slatter, Lloyd Brock, Lawrence Brock, Woods, Thomas.