New skipper raring to go

Royals will be hoping to go a few steps further than last time when they enter the new cricket season this year.

Royals returned to the A-grade competition in 2017-18 winning three games.

Last season, they recruited a host of young players and won seven games, making it to the finals in just their second season back in the top competition.

Royals have appointed a new captain in Mitch Green, who replaces Jack Hastie.

Green has a wealth of experience, including in first grade cricket in Perth.

He joined Railways for one season, winning a premiership with them, before moving to Royals at the start of last season.

The skipper will be a key player for Royals being the competition’s reigning top run scorer with 480 runs.

Matt Wolfe, Ted Batchelor and Dylan Holt will also be vital if Royals are to progress.

Green said he was looking forward to taking on the captaincy.

“I’m pretty excited to lead this group, to be voted in by the players meant a lot,” he said.

Youth will be the key to improvement for Royals.

“We have a few young guys who will be vital for us. Matt Wolfe and Dylan Holt have some more experience now and will be key players for us,” Green said.

Green heaped praise on former captain Hastie and said the club was now in a position to aim high.

“We wouldn’t be where we are this year without Jack Hastie. He has put in all the hard yards to get us back into A-grade,” he said.

“We really need to continue what he’s built and cement our spot in A-grade as a team pushing for finals.

“I believe we have a better squad then last year, the growth from our younger players will really shine.”

Royals will gain the services of Railways fast bowler Jack Richards, while Tom Wolfe will return and Brock Tiede has joined.

They will be without Hastie, who is recovering from an injured knee, for the first half of the season. Englishman Sam Hughes has returned home.

Green said the club was also excited to be fielding a junior team.

Royals will face Mt Barker in their first match, the team that knocked them out in the first final last season.