Paul Smith was elected the 27th captain of Cornwall County Cricket Club at their annual meeting at the Cornwall Cricket Centre.

Smith, who is based in Birmingham, said on social media it was ‘the biggest honour and privilege to captain the greatest county in the land’.

He had taken over last year as acting captain when Scott Harvey was unavailable. In addition to former England wicketkeeper Jack Richards, he joins five former captains on the committee – Eric Willcock, Godfrey Furse, Tom Sharp, Matt Robins and Scott Harvey – a combined total of 531 championship appearances.

As the club is resuming responsibility for the development team from the Cornwall Cricket Board, Rob Harrison was appointed the development team manager. Mark Thomas takes up the post of assistant treasurer. Werrington’s Linda Cobbledick also rejoins the committee.

The meeting began by remembering the lives of former captains Gerald Parsons and Terry Willetts, former players Charles Noy and Peter Thomas and members Clive Rosevear and David Heims. Also, Tony Webb, the driving force behind the ACS Minor Counties Scores Project, was remembered. In presenting the committee report club chairman Michael Williams reflected on a mixed season. In the T20 competition, there were four wins and four defeats. 

In the 50-over Trophy there was a memorable run chase to beat Berkshire at Truro but defeat in the final group game, by 20 runs to Devon at Sidmouth, denied the chance of a quarter-final. 

In the Championship, Cornwall finished fourth in division two with a win, a defeat and two draws. The highlight was a dramatic one-wicket victory against Shropshire at St Austell with Christian Purchase making 111 in the 271-9. Only the second one-wicket win in Cornwall’s championship history – the previous was in 1925.

In the Championship, 16 players played in the four games with debuts for professional Ateeq Javid, Karl Leathley, Max Tryfonos and Adam Snowdon.

Christian Purchase made 202 runs at an average of 40.40, including the only century. Tom Dinnis was the leading wicket-taker with 11 at 31.36 each. 

In his one match, Andrew Libby had match figures of 10-165 including the season’s best figures of 6-81.

Scott Harvey and Chris Gibson hit centuries against Somerset in a warm-up game and showcase game respectively.

In his financial report, treasurer Keith Hore reported a deficit of £2.5k for the year.

The Canynge Caple Cup, for the outstanding player, was won by Christian Purchase for the third time (previously 2014 & 2015).

The Donald Cocks Cup for fielding was won by Dan Lello. Alex Bone was awarded the Canynge Caple Colts Cup. The Caerhays Cup, for the highest partnership of the season, was won by Ateeq Javid & Matt Robins for the 108 against Herts at Redruth. 

Matt Robins won the award for a consecutive season and the sixth time in all. Adam Snowdon won the Ron Tither Memorial Cup for Under 21 bowling. 

The Arthur Lugg Cup, for outstanding services, was awarded to former player Jonathan Kent (72 championship appearances) who has stood down from the committee having served since 2006.

Officer elections: president – EG Willcock; chair – JM Williams; vice-chair – TG Sharp; secretary – Anita George; treasurer – RK Hore JP; captain – PA Smith; team sec/ manager – GR Furse; assistant secretary – MA Weeks, assistant treasurer – TM Thomas; development manager – RJ Harrison; Safeguarding Officer – M Jelbert.