Taunton St Andrews begin their new season in WEPL Premier One with an away trip to Wiltshire to face newly promoted Burbage and Easton Royal CC.

The Saints side will feature two new signings, the first being 18-year-old Archie Vaughan, who is a top order batter and off spin bowler who is on the Somerset Academy.

Then there's paceman Kazi Szymanski, who was educated at King’s College and has since played for Devon and spent a season on the Glamorgan staff.

A highlight of his career was taking eight for 21 in a Second XI game against Surrey.

Looking ahead to the season, Saints stalwart Lloyd Alley, who is vice captain to Josh Thomas, said: “We are shaping up pretty well ahead of the start of the league programme, Archie Vaughan is making his debut for the club, Jay Terry is back from Australia, Josh and George Thomas are both available, as is bowler Ollie Heard and new signing Kaz Szymanski so we are looking to be in a good place.

“Unfortunately Thomas Rew and James Matravers have got school games, while our other new signing Cam Harding is unavailable for the first four games, but as a collective the bowling unit looks really good.

“We had two T20last week where all the batters got runs so going into the new season we are feeling confident and we are in good shape for sure".

Somerset County Gazette: Former Saints player Joe Wadham is back as head coach

During the winter months former Saints player Joe Wadham was appointed as the new head coach, a move the vice captain feels has played a major part in helping with the season's preparations.

He continued: “This has been the best pre-season that I have ever had at the club and Joe has come back in and taken on the reins and spoken to everyone of us in the top two sides individually about our own game to make sure we get the most out of our game.

“Pre-season training and indoor nets have been so well structured and dynamic, with focussed sessions looking at various aspects of our games individually and as a team that we can improve upon this season.

“Joe is also a good man manager and not afraid to challenge people, so he is doing a good job, he has boosted the morale and the mind set and we cant wait to get started.”

In addition to the First XI travelling away to face Burbage, where former Somerset favourite Pete Trego will be the main man with both bat and ball, the Second XI are at home to Uphill Castle in the Premier Division of the Somerset Cricket League.

The A XI host Glastonbury in Division Four of the Somerset Cricket League while the B XI are away to Uphill Castle Thirds in Division Seven of the SCL.