Alex Binnie has an old head on young shoulders.
 
At the age of just 21, the wicketkeeper/batsman has taken on the captaincy of Cirencester, taking over from Gareth Williams who is not far short of 30 years older than him.
 
But far from being daunted by the challenge, Binnie is relishing the opportunity of pitting his wits against the opposition captains in the Gloucestershire Division of the West of England Premier League.
 
“It’s a job I’ve always wanted to do,” said the former Deer Park School pupil. “I’ve been playing for the club since I was 11.
 
“I’m excited for it all to get going, it’s always a long winter.”
 
And his predecessor, who is struggling to make the start of the season because of a shoulder injury, has no doubts that Binnie has what it takes to make a successful captain.
 
“He’s well respected by the lads,” said Williams. “He put himself forward and I think he’ll do well.
 
“He’s putting in the effort and trying to be an all-round club captain rather than just a captain on the pitch.”
 
Binnie has got some captaincy experience having led teams both at school and while coming through the ranks at Cirencester, and he established himself in the club’s 1st XI last season.
 
“I’d played a few games for the 1sts before last season but 2017 was my first full season,” he said. “It was a pretty steady season with both the bat and the gloves.
 
“I didn’t make any big scores but I made a few 30s. I’m not a particularly aggressive batsman.”
 
Cirencester finished third last season and Binnie is optimistic that the club can enjoy another good season, although he knows it will be tough.
 
“It’s a really strong league this year,” he said. “Gloucester and Hatherley have come down and Kingsholm have come up. They are all good clubs and there are no easy games.
 
“The aim is to go as high as we can and hopefully do better than last year.”
 
And if Cirencester are to challenge at the top of the table, Binnie will be looking to the brothers Jamieson-Black – Jock, Jamie and Jono – to lead the charge.
 
All three bat and Jock and Jono both bowl spin, and Binnie said: “They are all really influential.”
 
Opening bowlers Tom Fullalove and Billy Breen – “They got a shed load of wickets last season,” said Binnie, will also be important players as well as opening batsman Will Mason.
 
“He’s quite an experienced player and got a lot of runs last season,” added Binnie.
 
“We’ve got a good, strong side. We only came up the season before last and we’re strong from one to 11.”
 
Cirencester runs three senior teams on a Saturday – Matthew Carter is the new captain of the 2nd XI – and they are hoping for back to back promotions, in Gloucestershire Division 6.
 
“We run teams from under-7 through to under-19,” said Binnie, “we’re always oversubscribed.”