Frocester Cricket Club are hoping for big things from their new overseas all-rounder Andy Solomons this season.

The 30-year-old Sri Lankan has joined Frocester from their West of England League Premier One rivals Clevedon and Frocester stalwart Eric Woodmason said: “He’s a very effective player at this level.”

And it’s not just in the West Country that he’s been playing a starring role.

“He plays first class cricket in Sri Lanka,” added Woodmason, “and scored a ton in a T20 game a few weeks ago.”

So what type of cricketer is he?

“He’s a very effective hitter, even at the top of the order,” explained Woodmason.

“He also bowls right-arm seam and has got fantastic variations. He mixes it up well and bowls well at the death. He was the leading wicket-taker in Premier One last season.

“The Frocester ground will suit him, he’s a very good signing.”

And if Solomons manages to hit the ground running – and there’s no reason to think that he won’t – there’s every expectation that Frocester will have a far better season than they did last time out.

The loss of star all-rounder Paul Muchall to long-standing title rivals Bath was keenly felt in 2017 and, while Bath romped to the title, Frocester found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle that went down to the final game of the season.

Woodmason is keen to stress that Solomons is a very different type of player to Muchall and he insists he is not expecting Frocester to win the title this season.

“Bath will win it again without a shadow of a doubt,” Woodmason said. “I’ll be amazed if they don’t. As far as I’m concerned they’re dead certs.

“The rest of us are just playing for the runners-up spot and to avoid relegation.”

That may or may not be Woodmason playing a few mind games because he is certainly keen to talk up Nick Trainor’s side ahead of the new campaign.

“We need batsmen Uzi Qureshi and Tom Wand to step up to the mark and support Louis Gegg,” said Woodmason. “If those three can get 500 or 600 runs we’ll finish in the top half.”

Gloucestershire left-armer Chris Liddle will again be relied upon to get a big chunk of the wickets when he plays.

Now 34, he was signed by the county as injury cover for their battery of pace bowlers and Woodmason said: “If he could play in half the games that would be great. He’s still got plenty of pace and he can bat as well.”

Woodmason is also hoping for big things from all-rounder Ross Martin.

“We thought he was a bowling all-rounder but then he scored 140 against Downend,” said Woodmason. “His 100 came off 34 balls. And he scored 79 against Lechlade.

“He’s only a young lad but if he keeps on improving he’ll be a very good player.”

There appears to be plenty of reason for optimism again around Frocester after last season’s difficulties.

“If we perform we’ll win games,” said Woodmason. “We should do fairly well.”