Daniels appointed Sidley cricket skipper

There had been uncertainty over who would replace Scott Woodroffe, who resigned at the end of last season, with the position remaining unfulfilled following the annual general meeting in November.

But Daniels, a great cajoler in the field, was named the man at the helm with Chris Hunnisett acting as "team manager" at a recent committee meeting. A vice-captain is still to be determined.

"I think it will be good," said Woodroffe, now chairman of the club. "He really wants to do it, he's really enthusiastic and he's got a lot of ideas. Everyone is going to be behind him and he fits the bill really."

Woodroffe, meanwhile, says Sidley are "as certain as we can be" of signing Pakistani Rizwan Ahmed as their overseas player for the 2005 season.

The 26-year-old Hyderabad player has a first class batting average of almost 36 and a one-day bowling average of under 30.

The chairman continued: "He's signed a contract and agreed to play; it's just a case of hopefully being released on time. He was definitely our number one target and I think he will be possibly the best signing for us out of the last three."

Sidley could face neighbours Bexhill in the second round of the Sussex Cup if they beat Haywards Heath and the Polegrove club can see off Roffey at the opening hurdle.