Top all-rounder Josh Breed will captain Cheltenham Cricket Club this season for the first time.

The South African takes over from Liam Walker who has stood down after two years in charge, and chairman David Partridge is certainly a big supporter of the incoming skipper.

The 26-year-old has played List A cricket for Western Province back in his native South Africa and Partridge said: “He’s a very good player.”

Breed, who bowls leg-spin, has certainly proved that for Cheltenham on countless occasions over the past few seasons when he’s also stepped in as captain when needed.

“He knows cricket,” continued Partridge. “He’s got a cricket brain, he understands the game and he understands players.

“I expect him to be a hard taskmaster but that’s what we need.”

Cheltenham finished seventh in the 10-strong Premier 2 Glos/Wilts in the West of England Premier League last season, not helped by losing their final four games of the campaign.

Partridge believes this season may be too soon to mount a promotion push – only one team will go up – and he said: “I don’t think we’re strong enough for Premier 1.

“We’re going through a bit of a transitional period, the last couple of seasons have been quite tough.

“Liam Walker has been totally selfless, his bowling was affected by being captain but that’s not the reason he stood down, he just felt it was the right time for someone else to  take over.”

Breed was vice-captain in 2024 and Partridge added: “I would expect him to make good tactical decisions.

“The one thing he will do is play to win, that is something that all our players have instilled in them.”

Batsman Kieron Smith will be a key player for Cheltenham this season and he, like Breed, is a big fan of the club.

“What we really want to do is create an environment where players want to play for Cheltenham,” said Partridge, a former Gloucestershire all-rounder.

“We want to keep the players we already have and attract new players to the club.”

Partridge, who lives in Birdlip, also wants the club to become a centre of excellence.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for 30 or 40 years,” he said. “It’s something we really need in the north of the county, a pathway for talented cricketers that would benefit Gloucestershire.”

Cheltenham’s opening league game is at home to Corsham on Saturday 3^rd May.