BARNSLEY Woolley Miners have a new captain and overseas player as they look for more silverware in 2024.
The Shaw Laners finished third in the ECB Yorkshire Premier League South and retained their Twenty20 Blast title in 2023.
But homegrown captain Beck Frostick has now emigrated to Australia while Australian Twenty20 star Jake Weatherald will not be returning this year.
Instead the skipper will be batter Liam Johnson and they have brought in Jacob Cumming, a 20-year-old opener who has played First Class cricket for Otago as well as for New Zealand A. He made 48 last year in a tour game against an England attack including Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson.
Johnson said: “He is highly-rated in New Zealand, playing for Otago at 19.
“I have a couple of friends over there and they say he’s going to be some player. It’s very exciting to have him on board.
“We will have him from start to finish which is sometimes a rarity. That can be the difference.
“Jake brought a mentality of ultra positive cricket which is brilliant for the younger guys.
“We want to continue that and instill the mindset of no fear cricket in the dressing room.
“Hopefully Jacob brings a bit more of a calming presence so we can balance the two aspects of the game.”
Johnson joined the club last season and has now been named captain.
“I can’t wait. The opportunity has come late in my career. We have a young team and the future is really exciting. If I can be a small part in that, I am really looking forward to it.
“I captained Coal Aston in the old South Yorkshire League Premier but it’s a privilege to be captain of such a big club
“I want a continuation of what Beck started. He will be a big miss not just because he was such a good player but he was part of the furniture and a big presence in the dressing room.
“We will be looking for silverware but also pride ourselves on producing good young players and good people.
“It would be nice to win the T20 again and, in the league, we want to take it one step further and win the title.
“We just need to be more consistent all season.
“The league gets tougher and tougher every year with the quality of overseas and other players. It’s harder to win every year
“But Sheffield Collegiate won it for the first time last year, so it can be done. We want to replicate that.”
