Adam Stuart is one of those lucky people.

Not only does he get to play week in, week out at Dumbleton Cricket Club – surely one of the most stunning settings in the country – he is also the club’s groundsman so he gets to spend even more time there than almost anyone.

“Yes, it is a great place to play cricket,” said Stuart. “It’s usually a batter’s track. It’s nice and fast with a quick outfield. It doesn’t tend to do too much.”

Stuart has taken over the 1st XI captaincy this season as the club prepare for life back in the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire Division of the West of England League after last season’s promotion.

It’s a job the 31-year-old has done before so what persuaded him to take on the role again?

“I’m not sure,” he laughed, “my wife asked me that question!”

Stuart, a top-five batsman who also bowls, will bring plenty of experience to the leadership role having led the side for five years up until three or four years ago.

The aim this season is obviously to establish themselves at the higher level and Stuart has been encouraged by a couple of new arrivals at the club.

“Tom Hage has joined from Hatherley and Reddings,” he said. “He’s an all-rounder who opens the bowling and bats in the top five. He’s on Herefordshire’s books.

“And Kyle Hodnett has joined us well. He lives in Cheltenham and is the brother of former Gloucestershire cricketer Grant Hodnett.

“He’s previously played Minor Counties cricket as well as for Worcestershire 2nds and MCC Young Cricketers. He’s another opening bowler who can bat in the top five and he’s a very clever cricketer.

“Those two guys coming in make us quite potent and Daniel Cranitch, our overseas player from Brisbane, is also coming back.

“He’s also an all-rounder and gives the ball a good whack. Fingers crossed, we’re quite strong.”

So what’s the aim for this season?

“We always want to compete,” said Stuart. “We’re quietly confident that we can finish in the top half.”

And while the present is looking very healthy, so too is the future.

“Our junior set-up is starting to produce players for the 1st XI,” said Stuart.

“This season we’ll have youngsters Ed Bragg, Dan Holland, Robbie Hardwick and Will Sharpe in the first team.

“We’ve got hundreds of children in our junior section and three teams in each age group. It bodes well for the future.”