Ian Hawtin, who will captain Oxfordshire for a fifth successive season this year, is also to skipper Banbury in the Home Counties Premier League.

Remarkably, it will be the experienced wicket-keeper’s first club captaincy.

But he is confident that he will be able to handle both jobs – and is looking for Banbury to step up on their second-place finish last season.

Hawtin succeeds South African Benji Hector, who decided at the end of last season that he would not be returning to these shores after three years at the north Oxfordshire club.

Hawtin explained that his burden will be eased by chairman Martin Phillips taking on a role as team manager.

“He will do all the ringing around and that sort of stuff, so basically all I have to do is captain the side on the day,” he said.

“It is a good challenge and we are looking to improve on last year’s league position.”

Although he hasn’t led a club side before, Hawtin’s experience with Oxfordshire should hold him in good stead.

“I have done it with Oxfordshire for the last four or five years and as a side we have improved,” he said.

“At the end of the day it is down to the quality of players in the team.”

With that aim in mind, Banbury have already recruited county batsman Shahbaz Ali and Oxon Development XI seamer Jamil Faruq from Kidlington.

Shahbaz was at the centre of the controversy which saw Kidlington thrown out of the ECB Cockspur Cup last season when as captain he fielded a player under a false name.

But Hawtin had no qualms about him joining Banbury – a club he has played for before.

“I have got no comment on what has happened previously with Kidlington,” he said. “All I know is Shahbaz is a good player and a very infectious character.

“He is a three-dimensional cricketer. He is a good batsman, can bowl and is a good fielder, so he adds a lot to any team.”

And he is also looking for Jamil to make an impact.

“I think it is a good opportunity for him,” he said. “He is ambitious and he wants to play for the county and he is giving himself the chance to prove that he is good enough.”

Banbury are also in the process of tieing up the signing of an overseas all-rounder.

Steve Beck is the new 2nd XI captain – a role he performed two years ago.

Meanwhile, Banbury lost to Warwickshire winners Stockton in the national indoor competition at Blackbird Leys.

Missing Hawtin, Ryan and Shirazi, an understrength Banbury were held to 83-4 from their 12 overs, and Stockton edged home at 87-4 with three balls to spare.

l IN the latest round of matches in the Banbury Indoor League Division 1, Banbury beat clubmates Banbury A by three wickets.

Beck hit an unbeaten 25 as Banbury A posted 92-3, before John Best (24no) and Phillips (22no) steered Banbury home with two balls to spare.

RESULTS Banbury A 92-3 (10ovs, S Beck 25no), Banbury 93-3 (9.4ovs, J Best 24no, J Phillips 22no).

Charlbury 99-5 (10ovs, G McCallum 35no, A Tucker 2-20), Preston Capes 102-1 (6.4ovs).

Banbury Twenty 90-5 (10ovs, Faisal Khalid 29no, J Wimbush 20), Great & Little Tew A 62 (9ovs, S Catlin 21, Ali Shah 2-6).

Sandford St Martin 86 (8.4ovs, M Anson 22, L Brock 2-29), Great & Little Tew 87-1 (9.4ovs, D Powles 26no).