BARNT Green have been busy boosting their ranks ahead of this season's Birmingham League campaign.

They have recruited a number of new players while losing Luke Radford and Sam Cheshire from last season's squad.

Radford has chosen to remain in Australia this season while wicketkeeper/batsman Cheshire has moved to London through his work.

The Green have responded by bringing in an overseas player in the shape of Australian top order bat and off-spin bowler James Psarakis who has played Grade A cricket in Sydney.

Strike bowler Ben Ladd-Gibbon arrives from rivals Walsall to open the attack while seamer Dominic Hipkiss has switched ranks from Himley.

Other captures include batsman John Major who arrives at Cherry Hill Road from Old Elizabethans together with Jack Beswick, who was previously with Lemington Spa.

The Green also hope to add Bermudan off-spinner Jordan Smith following his commitments with Bromsgrove School.

Chairman Colin Banton has also taken over the role as first team manager, where the former Nottinghamshire player will work together with skipper Andy Sutton.

The Green also hope to have use of Warwickshire's Ed Pollock, Matt Lamb and Josh Poysden throughout the season, together with Banton's eldest son Tom who recently featured for England Under-19s in India.

Banton is currently at King's School in Taunton and has a one year academy contract with Somerset.

Colin Banton said: "The key will be getting as many players as possible available right from the start of the season, which is something we've struggled with in the past.

"My role will be taking some of the workload off Andy Sutton to enable him to concentrate on matters on the pitch."