Andover snap up promising Ord from OT & R

Andover have boosted their Southern Electric Premier League strike force by snapping up economical seamer Jeremy Ord from Old Tauntonians & Romsey.

Ord frequently conceded less than 20 runs from 12-over new ball starts in Premier Division 2 last season and is a more than useful addition to the Andover attack.

Roger Miller continues to skipper Andover's Premier 1 team and is optimistic that Toby Radford, who has just taken up a coaching position alongside ex-England spinner John Emburey at Middlesex, will keep fit this summer after breaking his arm playing for the Hampshire Cricket Board last year.

Mark Miller, Jeremy Hayward, Ian Langdown and the skipper are likely to fill the top five batting places, while Richard Taylor will spearhead the attack.

Little Cille van der Merwe replaces Gosport-bound Lee Wateridge behind the stumps while the spinning places are likely to go to Matt Hooper and South African Gareth Tate. Dean Woodhouse, who will miss most of the season due to work commitments, is likely to be replaced by his bother Stuart, who has joined Andover from Rowledge.

Tim Keighley captains a young second team, with Paul Funnell and Marc Kavanagh heading up the batting alongside teenagers Steve Williams and Rob Palmer. Luke Graham and Mike Adams will head a strong bowling line-up as the side pushes for promotion from Hampshire League, CD1.

Director of Cricket Andy Hooper will help with first team coaching, but the left arm spinner will be sorely missed as his contribution on and off the field has been second to none.