IVYBRIDGE skipper Josh Zimmerman takes his side into the new Tolchards DCL season brimming with confidence.

Zimmerman’s aim is to get Ivybridge out of the C Division West at the end of the season which, in a division with only one promotion spot, is quite a task.

Ivybridge were a distant third behind champs Stoke Gabriel and runners-up Brixham last season. Three successive defeats in July did them no favours.

Zimmerman has had a fruitful time recruiting during the close season and will be looking to put down a marker this Saturday against inevitable title rivals Brixham.

Said Zimmerman: “Personally, I am buzzing at making three Premier Division quality signings in Josh Coker (ex-Cornwood), Abraham Kopparambil (ex-Bovey Tracey) and Ayesh Upamal,” said Zimmerman.

“Josh will open the bowling, Abraham Kopparambil will open the batting and Ayesh is a batting all-rounder who is currently studying in Plymouth.

“Cebo Tshiki is also returning as our overseas, which I am delighted by after his unbelievable record (829 runs) last year. 

“The rest of the squad has stayed together, which will give me some selection headaches this year, but all good problems

“With the best squad on paper for many years at the club, we’re going to be going into every game full of confidence.”

TWO familiar faces will be back in South Devon’s side for the new season ahead in the Tolchards DCL C Division West.

Johnny Martin and Sean Day are returning to the Marsh Road club where both played between 2014-2016.

Martin left South Devon for a second stint with former club Barton while Day moved to Exmouth, where he was working at the time. Martin joined Day at the Maer in 2022.

Seamer Martin and batter Day have both changed jobs and find it more convenient to play for South Devon in the up-coming season.

Martin has more than 300 DCL games under his belt during a 34-year career with Chudleigh, Barton, South Devon and Exmouth. Kiwi Day is closer to 200 than 300 over a 25-year span.

Day and Martin bring something South Devon skipper Richard Beaumont knows he will need for the club’s first season back in the C Division West following promotion.

“Johnny and Sean have loads of experience in league cricket, which will be a huge benefit to what is quite a young side,” said Beaumont.

“Only last season Johnny was turning out in the Premier Division for Exmouth – and he was not there just to make-up the numbers.

“And Sean is a proven run scorer, whose unbeaten century for us against Thorverton when he was last with us showed what he is capable of.”

Also on the way back to Marsh Road is overseas player Mali Marshall, whose wickets and especially runs proved crucial to South Devon’s promotion push last season.

Marshall, a son of the late West Indian pace bowler Malcolm Marshall, made close to 500 league runs in 2023 as well as claiming 22 wickets.

“With Johnny Martin joining Mali in our attack our bowling looks strong,” said Beaumont. 

It won’t be too much of a surprise if South Devon add another player or two to the roster before the season gets under way.

INDIAN all-rounder Vaibhav Sheth has been lined-up as Ashburton’s overseas player for the upcoming season in the Tolchards DCL C Division West.

Sherth, a club cricketer from Gujarat, bats at the top of the order for club side Surendranagar City District and also bowls leg-spin.

Vaibhav, who goes by the nickname ‘Bittu’, is 33. He has captained his club side for the last ten years and has a wealth of cricketing experience.  He can play a bit too, as evidenced by a highest score of 155 not out and a best bowling return of six wickets for 12 runs.

Lloyd White, the new Ashburton captain, is keen to see what Sheth makes of UK conditions.

“We're absolutely thrilled to have a player of Vaibhav’s calibre joining our club,” said White. 

"His batting will provide stability to the top order and his spin bowling will add a quality variation to our attack. 

“Vaibhav’s experience and leadership whilst playing cricket at a high level in India, will be invaluable as we look to improve on last season's performances and compete at the right end of the table. I have no doubt we will all learn from his expertise.”

White hopes Sheth will arrive in the UK in time to feature in some of Ashburton’a pre-season warm-up games.

Sheth said he is already counting down the days until he arrives in this country.

“I am really looking forward to the new challenge with Ashburton.” he said. 

“I have heard great things about the club and I can't wait to join my new team-mates and hopefully have a successful season on and off the pitch. 

“This is my first time playing a full campaign in the UK and I cannot wait to get out there.”

Although Sheth has previously visited the UK to look-up friends, he has not played cricket in the UK before.

Aditya More, who was Ashes’ overseas player in 2022, has given his fellow countryman a full run-down on the club and the Devon League, which helped persuade him to sign-on.

White said his captaincy predecessor Steve Edmonds deserves most of the credit for finding Sheth, which he did before handing over the reins.

Sheth takes on the overseas slot at Varwell Field from South African Jonny Malan, who captured 25 league wickets in 2023 and chipped-in more than 200 runs.