BIG-HITTING batsman Ian Caunce is the new captain of Oxfordshire Over 50s.

The Oxford Downs veteran succeeds Andrew Wingfield Digby, who stepped down after Oxfordshire lost to Middlesex in the final of the ECB 50-Plus Championship in September.

“It is a bit of an honour for a lad from up north like myself, but I am really looking forward to it,” said the 59-year-old Lancastrian.

Caunce has captaincy experience from his time at Rufford CC and Croston CC in his home county, and Winthorpe in Nottinghamshire.

And he believes he has also learnt plenty from playing for Oxon Over 50s for the last nine years.

“When I first started, Phil Garner was superb as skipper,” he said.

“He seemed to know things before they had happened, and then we had seven successful years with Andrew.”

Caunce was part of the Oxfordshire team which tasted national glory with victory over his native Lancashire in the national final at Lord’s in 2008.

He is keen to emulate that success, especially after they were hammered in the final at Wormsley last year.

“We have had a couple of finals in the last three years, but it hurt last year when we played Middlesex and lost by ten wickets,” he said.

“The aim of this season is to definitely go one better.”

And he believes he has his own unique recipe for success.

“I will get them all training on pork pies and pints of Guinness – not cream teas as Andrew had us on,” he joked.

Caunce plans to continue playing his natural game at the top of the order, despite the extra responsibility.

“A cricket ball should be hit as hard and as far as possible, so that will not change,” he said. “To change just because I have got the captaincy would be wrong.”

While Oxon retain last year’s players, Caunce is keen to hear from anyone interested in joining the squad.

He can be contacted on ian.caunce@paccar.com