Steve Green, whose 414 runs and 28 wickets powered Easton & Martyr Worthy into the Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 runners-up spot last season, is forced to sit out tomorrow's opener.

When Easton take on relegated Burridge at Cockets Mead (1pm) their former skipper, who has handed over the captaincy reins to his newly-wed younger brother Shaun, is serving the second of a two-week suspension imposed late last season.

Easton, who ran the Hampshire Academy close in the chase for the Division 2 title last summer, will expect to begin on a winning note against Burridge, who are currently without an overseas player.

Australian all-rounder Francis Gill returns for a second season at Easton, while evergreen Roger Cawte takes over the Burridge captaincy from Paul Ancell,who has rejoined Portsmouth.

New Zealander Rhys Morgan makes his bow for newly-promoted St Cross Symondians against Gosport Borough at Privet Park.

Morgan comes from the same Onslow club as BAT's Neal Parlane and has also played provincial cricket for Wellington.

College examinations rule out little Marc Rees, but Fergus Haycock comes in for his Premier League debut.

Former Hampshire wicketkeeper Adrian Aymes returns to his old haunts at The Quarters to lead Hursley Park into action against United Services, who are among the promotion favourites.

But Paul Edwards injured his back in pre-season training and may be out of action for several weeks.

US are without ocean-bound Royal Navy duo Pete Andrew and Mark Toogood but add British Universities hopeful Sam Lavery, ex-Sparsholt skipper Tim Simmonite and former opener Chris Potter to an already powerful squad.

Dan Peacock returns from his wedding in Zimbabwe to captain Lymington against Premier 3 champions Purbrook, whose key all-rounder Graham McCoy is understood to have joined United Services.

But South African Will Prozesky, who scored almost 1,000 runs last summer, continues as Purbrook's overseas player.

Sparsholt entertain Old Tauntonians & Romsey minus Rob Savage, but the visitors have lost Jeremy Ord to Andover.

The Premier Division 3 programme begins next Saturday, May 10.