ROB Zammit believes his Benfleet Cricket Club squad are good enough to win promotion from Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Three.

Zammit has taken over as captain of the side after Gavin Blowes stepped aside.

And Zammit, who has been with the club since the age of 11, confirmed that he is looking forward to the challenge of skippering the side.

“It’s great to have been appointed captain,” said Zammit.

“I told Gav last season that I was up for taking over as captain and the boys said I should go for it as well.

“I was captain in a few of the games last season, when Gav wasn’t available, so I have done the job before.”

Benfleet finished the 2017 campaign in fourth place.

And Zammit, 24, believes he has the players at his disposal to challenge for promotion.

The new skipper added: “We don’t want to set a target for the season because we will just take each game as it comes.

“But pre-season has been good and we have done a lot more than I can remember before any other season.

“We did well against Woodford Wells last week and hopefully we can take that into the season opener this weekend.

“If we all play to our potential we have players that are able to help us challenge for promotion.

“Callum Wheeler has come back to Benfleet after spending a year with Ulster.

“He wanted to come back and play with his mates, so he is a good signing for us.

“Andy Prophet should also be available for the season, having missed parts of the last campaign, so we are in a good place at the moment.

“But I am still looking to add one more player to our squad.”

Benfleet are set to get their campaign underway with a home encounter against Woodford Green.

The hosts will go into the clash, which is being played at Woodside Park tomorrow, aiming to get their campaign off to a fine start.

And Zammit is hopeful of triumphing in his first fixture as the club’s permanent skipper.

“I think we beat Woodford Green twice last year, but we know that we can’t take a win for granted,” he admitted.

“But if we want to win promotion, Woodford Green is a side that we need to beat both times we play them this season.

“If everyone turns up and plays to the best of their ability, then I’m sure we will be alright.

“It’s pleasing that we are at home for the first and last games of the season.”