Matt Perry-Lewis has stepped down as captain of St Cross Symondians after 16 years at the helm of the Winchester-based ECB Southern Electric Premier League club, writes MIKE VIMPANY.

He has led St Cross since their Hampshire League days and hands over the captaincy to former Hampshire cricketer Richard Logan for tomorrow’s Premier Division match with Havant at the Green Jackets Ground (11.30am).

Perry-Lewis explained: “I am also club captain at St Cross, which is a huge job in its own right.

“Marshalling six Saturday league teams at the club – as well as the development of our academy – means my time is becoming more and more diluted.

“Also running my own business as well means that time is already tight.

“Having captained for almost 16 years now, we have been looking for a successor and I am conscious of giving Logie (Richard Logan) a chance to get started sooner rather than later.

Perry-Lewis, who said how much he had enjoyed captaining the club, will continue to play in his spin bowling role, and is in no doubt Logan is the right man to replace him.

“He’s an excellent clubman who works very hard with all the seniors and juniors as club coach.

“His credentials on the park are there to be seen and we think the timing is ideal with the pressure being off in the league.”

Logan, who joined the Winchester club from Chichester Priory Park in the 2011/12 close season, will be anxious to impose his presence on a St Cross Symondians side that has tumbled down the Premier Division table after a bright start.

St Cross were seen as potential challengers after they won their opening two 50-over matches against the Hampshire Academy and Ventnor.

But they have since lost four of their last five games and clung on for a draw against Bashley (Rydal).

St Cross dropped to second from bottom in the log after becoming the first side to lose to Bournemouth last week and now lie only 25 points above the struggling Dorset side.

St Cross are largely unchanged against Havant, with Jack Jenkins returning from university to beef up the batting department.

Havant, who are in ECB national club championship action against Totton & Eling on Sunday, halted a three-match competitive losing streak by beating the Eels by two wickets last week.

Steve Dean is an absentee tomorrow.