Skipper Jak Martin reckons Banstead Cricket Club are well-placed to push on after retaining their Surrey Championship Premier League status last season.
The team struggled for most of his first season as captain, but the arrival as Ali Jaffer as player/head coach and new recruits Paul Nicholas - an opening bowler and middle order batsman from Perth Cricket Club - Jonnie Speller, Richard Coughtrie and Regan Shea has given the Avenue Road side cause for optimism.
“Last year was a tough baptism for me in my first season as captain but we grew as a team,” said Martin.
“The investment we have made over the winter and the recruitment of some top players puts us in great shape for the summer.”
There has also been significant investment off the net with new £50,000 practice nets, largely funded by grants from the ECB, Lord Taverners and Surrey Cricket Trust, and a new electronic scoreboard, funded by contributions from the newly formed Banstead’s vice presidents club.
Banstead open the season at home on May 8.
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