ST AUSTELL’S new captain Alex Bone expects his side to challenge on all fronts as they prepare for Saturday’s opener with champions Penzance (1pm).

The Wheal Eliza outfit have been in the ECB Cornwall Premier League since 2008 without taking the title, but the county wicket-keeper, who replaces his long-serving brother Gary after 12 seasons in charge, is not shy about their ambitions.

He said: “We always want to push ourselves to improve and the competitiveness within the squad brings the best out of everyone. Our goals are to win the Premier League and lift the T20 trophies. Some might say that’s ambitious, but with the team spirit and talent we’ve got, I really believe we can go a long way.

“To do that we need to make Wheal Eliza a fortress. Home advantage is massive, and our aim is to go unbeaten there all season. If we can then win five or six games away from home, we’ll be in a great position.

“We’re focused on three things; consistency, maintaining high standards in every match, and never giving up. We want to be the kind of side that wins games from positions where others would have thrown in the towel.”

Key to that will be the signing of Sri Lankan batting all-rounder Thevindu Dickwella, while Cornwall left-arm spinner Andrew Libby has returned for a third spell at the club.

Bone said: “We’ve gone down a different route this year by signing a Sri Lankan batsman who also bowls. It was something I was really keen for the club to pursue. Having a professional of that calibre around is great for the younger players as they’ll learn so much from someone who has played at a high standard in challenging conditions.

“Last season, we struggled to post big scores and only passed 200 twice, which wasn’t good enough. Thevindu will help us get more runs on the board and contribute with the ball too.

“A massive thank you to our local sponsors - it wouldn’t have been possible to bring Thevindu to St Austell without your support.

“We’ve brought back Andrew Libby, who I’d argue is the best spinner Cornwall has ever produced. People often forget that just a few years ago he was averaging over 20 with the bat as well. He adds a massive amount of experience and I’m confident he’ll win us four games on his own this season.”

While Dickwella and Libby add plenty, Bone will have to juggle captaincy, keeping wicket and batting in the top five, and he admits replacing Gary won’t be easy.

He said: “He’s a tough act to follow – 12 years as captain and 11 top-five finishes is a fantastic legacy. I’m really focused on maintaining the strong foundations he put in place, especially around the youth set-up, which is vital for bringing new talent into the first team.

“There will be some slight changes to how we play. We’re looking to add more experience through the middle order and play exciting, attacking cricket up top against the new ball.

“But to captain the club is a huge honour. I went to my first St Austell match at just a week old and have been involved ever since. It’s something I’ve always wanted, I’m incredibly proud to lead the team.”

While the first team look to compete on all fronts, the seconds and thirds both secured promotion last term to County Division One and Division Two East, meaning for just the second time ever in Cornwall – a club will have three sides in the top three divisions.

Bone cannot wait to see how they fare, adding: “It’s a big challenge, no doubt, but also something we’re excited about. We’re not afraid of the step up – it’s an opportunity to show what we’re capable of.

“Our young players are going to be vital. We’ve got real match-winners among them, and when you mix that with four or five experienced heads in each team, we’ve got a very strong set-up. Training has been brilliant – 30-plus players turning up, pushing each other and fighting for places. That competition is exactly what we need.”

The seconds start life at Falmouth, the thirds visit Werrington Seconds, while the fourths welcome Ladock Seconds. All matches start at 1pm.