Cricket
Youth the way forward for Redditch

Buy photos » Redditch will be looking for a considerable wicket haul from 2012 overseas player Aidan Andrews. (s)

REDDITCH begin their 2012 Worcestershire League Division One campaign tomorrow when Pedmore visit Bromsgrove Road and Kingfishers skipper Luke Davis is looking for his side to continue the resurgence they showed in the second half of last season.

Having struggled in the opening half of the 2011 campaign and looked set to face a desperate fight for survival, Redditch improved considerably as the season wore on and ended well clear of the drop zone and Davis believes the experience of high pressure matches will have helped the talented youngsters who have come through the club's thriving youth academy.

Meanwhile, Redditch have secured the services of Australian seam bowler Aidan Andrews for the season.

Having recently played Grade A cricket in Western Australia for Rockingham Mandurah, Andrews enjoyed early success with the ball in Saturday's pre-season friendly at home to Handsworth which saw Redditch defeated by 48 runs.

In addition, pace bowler Greg Chinn has moved across the county from Bromsgrove and the returning Stefan Jagielski has given Davis more options and firepower in the bowling and batting department.

Club chairman Nev Mason takes over as 2nd XI captain as Redditch aim to bounce back to Division One following last season's relegation.

Having lost prolific run scorer Nick Fowkes to Feckenham, Mason's first task is to find a winning formula and tomorrow the 2nds travel to Mill Lane to play Feckenham in what should be a hard fought contest.

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