TOM Hicks has been elected Farnham Cricket Club's youngest first-team captain in the league era.

The 23-year-old former Oxford University skipper succeeds Gary Clapham, who stood down after two years in the hot seat.

Hicks played four seasons for the university and was captain in 2000. He is a veteran of four Varsity matches and has two first-class fifties to his name, as well as two five- wicket hauls.

The new skipper, who has also played for Dorset, is a right-hand bat and bowls off-spin.

He shares Farnham's ambition to get back into the Surrey Championship's Premier Division – they were relegated after the 2001 season – but believes there is no quick route back to the county's amateur elite.

"We have to foster closer links with our successful youth teams – that is the key factor for me," he said. "And also to build on what we already have.

"It is a difficult job, but I'm looking forward to it.

Farnham have lost their overseas player from last season, Zimbabwean Aubrey Steyn, but Hicks is not too bothered about getting in another star outsider. "I would rather encourage more local players to come to Farnham. Overseas players are used to getting paid and we don't have the money."

Farnham hope to entice more local talent to the Park after entering a side into the Three Counties Sunday League, with the chance of competing against strong clubs such as Cove, Basingstoke and Finchampstead.

"This should give young players a platform at the club, with the chance of some really competitive cricket on Sundays," said Hicks, who is based at Lord Wandsworth College, where both his parents teach.

Officers elected at the AGM: president, Bob Shergold; secretary, Jackie Lawton; treasurer, Bob Dickinson. 1st XI capt, Tom Hicks; vice-capt, Nick Whitworth. 2nd XI capt, Ian Thorpe; vice-capt, Andy Jones. Farnham need a new chairman to succeed Alan Carter.