Market Deeping CC put their faith in youth, Peterborough Town unchanged and all the weekend fixtures

James Hook (21) will skipper a side that is likely to include several other young guns like former Peterborough Town batsman Kieran Judd - who scored a ton in a friendly last weekend - hard-hitting opener Josh Smith and gifted wicket-keeper Sam Malton.

Deeping open their top-flight season against Lincoln at Outgang Road tomorrow (July 25, noon) when the teams will do battle in a 40-over contest.

The competition has been split into two groups of five with Deeping competing in the Southern section against Bourne, Grantham, Sleaford and Boston. Teams also play two sides from the opposite division - Lincoln is the first of those - with the top two from the South and North competing in a play-off competition in September.

“I think we’ll go okay,” Hook insisted. “There was never going to be any relegation from the Premier Division this season so we were planning to give the youngsters a good run in the side to build up their experience.

“That will still be the case in a shortened season, but really this summer is just about enjoying playing as for a long time we didn’t think we would be able to.

“I’m young for a captain, but I like to test myself and it’s a job I wanted to do at some stage.

“ I did skipper the team at Bourne last season and we won so I’m one from one so far!”

Last season’s Deeping skipper Jamie Morgan has moved to Belvoir, while experienced slow bowler Meli Adatia has also left the club.

Sri Lankan ace Sachithra Perera hasn’t returned after making a 31-man T20 national training squad.

Bourne will be skippered by Hong Kong international Courtney Kruger this season. He will lead a team largely unchanged from last season as the Australian import they had lined up for a season at the Abbey Lawns has not come over.

Meanwhile Peterborough Town skipper David Clarke has named the same side as they seek to follow up last weekend’s Northants Premier Division win at Overstone.

Clarke gave 15 year-old Orton Park prodigy Sam Jarvis his ECB Premier League debut and was loath to leave him out after one game in which he was dismissed by a fine delivery and an excellent catch, even though one of last season’s title-winning squad Alex Mitchell is available after missing the Overstone game.

Horton started their season with a convincing defeat at Desborough, although they have been strengthened by the return of powerful former players Ewan Cox and Mark Wolstenholme.

“It should be a good game,” Clarke added. “It’s a lovely place to play cricket and they have some decent players.

“I have some thinking to do re selection as no-one deserves to be left out.”

Town start the defence of their Rutland Division One title at home to Wisbech on Sunday (noon).

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday, July 25

Northants Premier Division (11am) - Horton House v Peterborough Town, Oundle v Finedon.

Northants Division Two - Peterborough Town 2nds v Rothwell.

Northants Division Three - Bowden v Oundle 2nds.

Lincs Premier Division (noon) - Bourne v Sleaford, Market Deeping v Lincoln.

Cambs Division One - (12.30pm) March v St Ives, Wisbech v Foxton.

Cambs Division Two North - Castor v Wisbech 2nds, Orton Park v Ufford Park.

Hunts Division One North (1pm) - Barnack v Nassington, Stamford v Hampton.

Hunts Division Two North - Burghley Park v Sheik 11, Hampton 2nds v Falcon, Werrington v Addida.

Hunts Division Two South - King’s Keys v Huntingdon Alliance for Indians.

Sunday, July 26

Rutland Division One (noon) - Barnack v Market Deeping, Burghley Park v King’s Keys, Peterborough Town v Wisbech, Uffington v March.

Rutland Division Two - Newborough v Werrington, Stamford v Uffington, Whittlesey v Ufford Park.

Rutland Division Three - Long Sutton v Oakham, Spalding v Castor.

Rutland Division Four - Market Deeping 2nds v Werrington, Moulton Harrox v Peterborough Town 2nds.

Hunts Sunday League - Nassington 2nds v City of Ely, Alconbury v Godmanchester.