Johnson continues as Bexhill skipper

Malcolm Johnson will continue as captain of Bexhill Cricket Club during the 2014 season

The 23-year-old will have the task of cementing Bexhill’s place in the Sussex Cricket League Premier Division during the 2014 campaign.

Johnson led Bexhill to promotion as Division Two runners-up in 2013 having been relegated from the top flight 12 months earlier.

The left-handed top order batsman, whose younger brother Shawn is also a key member of the Bexhill line-up, made a century for the Sussex second team against Glamorgan in 2011.

Bexhill’s second, third and fourth team captains from last summer remain the same following the club’s recent annual general meeting, while Sanjay Sharma has taken over the fifths. Hamish Russell has become cricket development manager.

The club’s overseas player for 2014 is confirmed as Dean Crawford, from Northern District Cricket Club in Sydney - the same team which former Bexhill overseas players Dave Lowery and Andrew Harriott play for. Crawford is an opening bowler who took 38 first grade wickets last season.

A club spokesman said: “Hamish worked with him two years ago when he was coaching out in Australia and vouches for him being a nice lad. He will also be assisting with the juniors.”

Bexhill have been drawn at home to banking giants HSBC in round one of the ECB National Club Championship. The league season will start on Saturday May 10.