HARRY Smith cannot wait to get started after taking over the captaincy at Great & Little Tew.

The batsman, who has played for the west Oxfordshire club for six years, has replaced Andy Harris as skipper.

Tew finished 27 points clear of safety in their first Division 1 campaign last season and Smith is relishing the challenge, starting tomorrow at home to Henley.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it, I’ve never been captain before.

“I was vice last year and Andy stepped down which was a bit of a shame.

“He has done a great job over the last few years and it was a natural progression for me.

“I did want to do it, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Seamer Harris, who was captain for four years, is still a part of the team, while Tew have signed South African all-rounder Jancan Adams as their overseas player.

Wicket-keeper Ashley Hubbert has moved to London, so Robbie Catling will take over the gloves.

Smith added: “The first aim is not to get relegated and if we look in good shape to press on we’ll look at mid-table, but it will play out as the season goes on.”

PLAYERS IN

J Adams (Kings Hill).

PLAYERS OUT

A Hubbert, M Woods (Oxford Downs).

Banbury captain Lloyd Sabin is calling for realism this season after a big turnover of players.

The north Oxfordshire outfit have challenged for the title over the last couple of years.

But Banbury enter this campaign with a youthful side and a different target.

Former captain Luke Ryan, Hugo Darby, Karl Penhale and Tom Bradbeer have all moved on.

Sabin, who is only 22, believes this year will be a learning curve for his young team, who start their campaign at home to Tring Park.

He said: “I think we’re going to be a bit of a rebuilding job this year.

“It is a fairly new and inexperienced side and hopefully, if we’re being realistic, we’ll finish top half.”

Sabin added: “Every single year our team gets younger and younger and that’s staying the same.

“Ability-wise, they’re good enough and it’s about them having the confidence to step up, play their own game and how we know they can.”

Young bowlers Jack Wilkins and Jamie Curtis have joined Banbury, while former Pakistan international seamer Aizaz Cheema replaces Australian Kurtis Patterson as the side’s overseas player.

Sabin added: “Fingers crossed, he (Cheema) will be here for the first game.

“I’m fairly happy with the standard he is at.”

PLAYERS IN

J Wilkins (Buckingham Tn), J Curtis (Cumnor), A Cheema (Quetta Gladiators).

PLAYERS OUT

L Ryan, H Darby (both Spencer), K Patterson, K Penhale (Aston Rowant), T Bradbeer (Northampton Saints).