HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE: Benji Hector says taking up Banbury's captaincy as a new player has been made easy by the spirit he found at the club.

The South African opening batsman has taken over the reins from Richard Kaufman and is relishing the season ahead.

He said: "This is a nice new challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it.

"The guys have got a very good spirit going here. It's not only a team thing, it's a club thing.

"It makes it much easier to step into a situation like this than it would be otherwise."

Banbury have also been boosted by signing Oxfordshire captain and wicket-keeper/batsman Ian Hawtin and former Essex academy seamer Paul Robins.

Kaufman is doing a teacher training course at Cardiff University, but will be available until he plays for an equivalent level side in Wales.

Hector added: "We definitely want to better what happened last year when we ended up fifth.

"We want to look at a top-three place. That's definitely within our side's capabilities.

"If the guys get things together, it could be very promising."

Hector will open the batting with Ed Phillips against Oxford, while Robins is also named in the side.

Banbury (v Oxford, home):Hector (capt), E Phillips, Haupt, Tew, Hawtin, C Taylor, Ryan, Murrey, Robins, Launder, J Phillips.