Dan Da Costa, who recently qualified to represent Scotland as a wicket keeper/batter, will again skipper Carlton cricket club this season.
Under the South African born star they finished second in the Eastern Premiership.
Carlton will welcome back key players from last year Chris McBride and Olly Davidson, both of whom will be representing Scotland in Namibia in early April.
Also, Angus Guy returns after a highly effective first season at the top of the batting order.
Carlton also welcome Shovik Chakraborty (pictured), a leg spinner and batter who is a post graduate sports management student at Stirling University.
President Bob Irvine said: “Carlton were second in the league to Heriot’s who also knocked them out of the Masterton Trophy and Scottish Cup at the semi-final stage. The challenge this year is clear.”
Bob added: “Elsewhere in the club there is stability and continuity, Sam Evans will lead the Women’s 1st X1 while Sarah Beith will skipper the women’s Second XI, holders of the Challenger Cup in the new league for women’s second XIs.
“The Club continues its notable commitment to women’s cricket by further modifications to the pavilion to make it more usable for women players. In a welcome development of Carlton’s coaching team, Carlton legend Ally Evans (Ex Scotland and Derbyshire) will take over the coaching of the women’s section
In the men’s teams Gavin Murray takes over the reins of the Second XI from Charles Stronach. Gavin’s senior career started as an 11 year old with the Fifth XI. Charles will continue to play and look to continue his recent form which has seen him be the Second XI’s leading wicket taker in recent seasons. Brad Mackay, Alan Murray and Keith Murray will again lead the 3rd, 4th and 5th XIs.
“As ever Carlton’s junior cricketers will be highly active and the club expects that there will be a significant number in representative squads again this year.. The club was hugely proud last year when James Stronach and Hamish Foley skippered Scotland’s under-17 and under- 15 teams on the same day.
“Carlton is working hard to widen its sponsor network and to attract more social events to make use of the unique facilities at Grange Loan.”
