OLD Hill CC has adopted a policy of promoting new players from within the club for the new season.

A host of players have now been fast-tracked into the first team from the club's second string as they look to improve on last year's mid-table finish in the Birmingham and District League Division One.

Captain Dan Cox said: "A lot of club talk about promoting people through the ranks rather than taking on new signings each summer, but we have actually gone through with it.

"There are obvious risks that come with such a policy because you have to identify the right players and bring them in at the right time.

"It has been difficult turning potential new players away but we are determined to stick to our policy. All the players at the club know that they could have a chance of making it to the first team and everyone seems to have been lifted by that. I think it will really benefit the club in the long term."

Players including Jared Daniels, Nathan Howell, Joe Thorn and Winston Lewis will all see more first team action for the 2014 season.

A number of familiar faces are also set to return to the club. Bowler Daud Islam and seamer Johnny Baig have once again been taken on. They will be joined by off-spinner Lee Rogers, who comes from Barnt Green, and all-rounders Billy Cox, Jamal Ahmed and Waqar Ahmed.

Off the pitch, Old Hill now has a new chairman and secretary and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to stabilise the club financially.

Cox added: "Our main aim this season is to improve on how we did last year. If we could get a strong top half finish that would be fantastic. However, with our new policy of using our second and third teams, the big thing is that we show progression."

The club will start their league season away to Shifnal tomorrow (noon start).