Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League preview

Thame Town have a new captain in seamer Sam Lachlan as they prepare for another season in Division 2 West.

Lachlan replaces Rob Brooks, who is scaling down his playing commitments after many seasons as Thame’s lynchpin.

Thame will be promoting many of their promising youngsters on a rotational basis as they look to avoid the relegation battle they have faced in recent seasons.

Spinner Jaydeep Bhatti returns after a successful Indian season.

Gloucestershire Academy all-rounder Michael Beard and Oxfordshire Emerging Players Programme paceman Will Rooney, both 17, will be key to Thame’s prospects.

Secretary Angus Lachlan said: “Our targets are to bring through more of our young players and to consolidate our position in the league, following an excellent finish to the 2009 season.”

Thame’s ‘ones to watch’ are Beard and Rooney.

Angus Lachlan added: “Last season Thame’s bowlers outshone the batsmen.

“This season some big batting scores are overdue.”

IN: Bharat Damania (batsman, Wembley), Rob Layton (batsman, university).

OUT: Luke Merry (all-rounder).

LAST SEASON: 7th