ARRON Campbell is to step down as captain of Wellington Cricket Club’s lst XI - after skippering the side for the past eight seasons.

Wellington finished sixth in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League this season and also reached the final of the 20-overs a side Baker Cup where they put up a spirited display before losing to Taunton Deane at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, having knocked out the favourites Bridgwater in the semi-finals.

The club also played at their highest level - in Premier Two - under the 28-year-old’s captaincy following a record-breaking season when they were promoted after being unbeaten.

Announcing Campbell’s decision to give up the captaincy, club chairman Mark Salter said: “Arron is expecting a second child in November and he feels now is the right time to hand over the captaincy. He has been one of our most successful captains over the past 30 years. He has encouraged youth and brought young players to the club.

“Obviously, the highlight of the season was reaching the Baker Cup final and we felt we were on the wrong end of one or two decisions - but that’s cricket.”

The chairman disclosed that the club was ‘talking’ to overseas’ all-rounder Lakshan Edirisinghe with the view to the Sri Lankan returning next season following his fine displays - with both bat and ball - for the club this summer.

Meanwhile, Wellington 2nd XI just missed out on promotion in Division Two of the Somerset League, finishing a point behind runners-up Broadway & Horton after their last match of the season against champions West Monkton at the Playing Field was abandoned early-on through rain, taking only 14 points.

Broadway & Horton’s game against Frome 2nd XI was also hit by bad weather, but they managed to collect 23 points. Scores: Frome 2nd XI 34-1 (23 points), Broadway & Horton 200-3 dec (23).