OLD Elizabethans captain Sean Cairney hopes the Worcester club's achievements last season will serve his side well for the new Birmingham League campaign.

The Memorial Ground team finished fourth in Division Two in 2007, making it their best year in the competition.

OEs open their 2008 season with a home match against Newport on Saturday and will be looking to Australian batsman Ben Donaldson to supply the firepower.

Donaldson replaces Sam McNally, who spent two season with the club, and Cairney admits he will be a tough act to follow.

The skipper said: "Sam scored over 600 runs for us so it's going to be a tall order.

"Ben isn't an unknown quantity to us, he's played with a few of the lads before. We are hopeful that he will have a good season for us.

"The club is forward-thinking and we are looking to progress. We are looking for improvement.

"It's still a relatively young side, with most under 25, but hopefully last year's experiences will have held them in good stead.

"It was a bit disappointing as we fell away towards the end of last season but it was the best campaign we have had in the Birmingham League."

Ombersley, who won promotion last season, begin their Division Two campaign against Water Orton and are ready to test themselves at the higher level.

Water Orton finished bottom of Division One last season and Ombersley skipper Joph Young wants to use the opening fixture as a bench-mark.

Young said: "That will be a good barometer for us because I would have thought they would be quite strong. It will be interesting to see how we go against them.

"It's going to be a step up in standard so we are looking forward to it."

All-rounder Arti Fiaz has joined Young's team from Old Vigornians, while bowler Zane Kennedy has also been recruited.

However, the club missed out on Barbadian bowler Kemar Roache as their overseas player because he could not obtain a visa.

Evesham narrowly avoided relegation from Division Two last year and will be hoping for a better year.

Veteran Neal Radford has returned after a successful year at Stratford, while new signings include former Wales left-handed batsman Nathan Gage and Indian professional batsman Abhishek Jhunjhunwala.

Jon Gregory's side open up against newly-promoted St George's but the skipper is confident the team are stronger this time around.

Gregory said: "We have got some good youngsters and we have surrounded them with better players this year we think. We are optimistic for the season."