COLWALL have put their faith in youth as the club set out on a pivotal 2018 season in Worcestershire League Division One a week on Saturday.

Leading the first XI in their home clash against Bewdley will be 19-year-old Ben Cooke who becomes the club’s youngest first-team captain, having taken over from Ben Wheeler who has stepped down due to work commitments.

Cooke, a student at the University of Worcester, missed the second half of last season due to a hand injury, having batted superbly in the early part of the campaign.

His runs were missed as Colwall struggled to avoid relegation which they eventually succeeded in doing.

This season will be particularly challenging as changes to the Birmingham League format mean a major overhaul to West Midlands cricket in 2019 when a number of clubs will return to the Worcestershire League.

To retain their Division One status Colwall must finish in the top half of the table.

Despite his comparative youth, Cooke, a product of the club’s youth section, is a seasoned first-teamer and will not lack experienced support in a largely youthful side. Wicketkeeper-batsman Wheeler will continue to play most games while vice-captain and long-serving off-spinner James Wagstaff will also be on hand.

Colwall’s first three league games are all at home with the opening clash followed by the visits of Worcester Nomads on April 28 and Pedmore on May 5.

In the National Village Knockout, Colwall are away to local rivals Eastnor on Sunday, May 29.

Colwall seconds will also have a new young captain at the helm as Will Bishop takes charge for their opening clash at Bewdley followed by trips to Worcester Nomads and Pedmore. He too will lead a mainly youthful squad but can rely on input from experienced opener and vice-captain John Card as they bid to improve on an erratic campaign.

Colwall’s Marches League teams begin their league seasons under familiar leadership with third team skipper Chris Conlon looking to build on a promising mid-table status aided by vice-captain Alex Greaves.

The fourths will again be led by Mark Lessimore with veteran Phil Steers as vice-captain.

The club’s thriving junior section, which attracted over 180 youngsters to regular Friday evening sessions last year, will again be run by a dedicated band of coaches and volunteers.

The initial registration is on Friday, April 20, at a cost of £35 while the club’s social stalwarts, the CLOGS, will continue to provide entertaining cricket on Tuesday evenings.

Club chairman Kim Berry, who has been instrumental in improving the club’s off-field activities and financial situation since taking over last year, has attracted increased sponsorship for the new season.

New initiatives include a player-of-the-month award for the first team.