BANSTEAD are putting their faith in youth this summer in the hope of finding the Rory Burnses and Matt Spriegels of the future.
The Rams have traditionally had a number of professionals turn out for them in the Surrey Championship but they find themselves a little light this year with Burns and Matt Dunn now key members of the Surrey first team, Spriegel at Northamptonshire and last year's Banstead captain, Tom Lancefield, having signed a one-year deal at Glamorgan.
But new skipper Daniel Newton is confident his young team can cut the mustard in the Premier Division.
"Tom Lancefield has gone up to Glamorgan for the summer which is the best thing for his career and we wish him all the best," Newton explained. "It's good that all these Banstead players are doing well.
"It's great to see people like Rory, who was at Banstead since he was a child, playing so well for Surrey but we are pleased to have a group of young players who are available and ready to take the step up.
"We hope to have some of the professionals back for the odd game if they can fit it into their schedules, but if we don't have them back then we will be fine.
"It's great that players like Rory and Matt have such an affinity for Banstead. They were given a boost to their development when they played for Banstead at a young age, and now we have to blood a new generation."
It is not all teenagers at Avenue Road with South African Uwe Birkenstock arriving as the new overseas batsman and the addition of Blackwell brothers, Fred and Bertie.
Banstead open their Surrey Championship season this weekend at home to Sunbury, and Newton, who is out for up to eight weeks following shoulder surgery, is hoping his side ride out a difficult start to the season.
"I really think we can challenge in the top half of the table," the skipper said.
