CAPTAIN Paul Athey believes his Avoncroft CC side could take advantage of the most open division in years to win promotion.

Athey, whose side go to Oldwinsfod on Saturday, thinks there are so many similar teams in the Worcester League Division Three that his side have as good a chance as any of going up.

He said: "There won't be one team who will run away with the division this season.

"It's really wide open, if we can string some good results together then we have a great chance.

"Lye are always strong and relegated Feckenham will want to go straight back up."

"But if we get in a bad run we could also go down, it's going to be that tight this summer."

The captain believes Avoncroft's season will rely on a dramatic improvement by the batsmen.

He said: "We need to score more runs. If we can get around the 200 mark then we will always have a great chance of beating teams with our excellent bowlers."

Dave James will be a key figure for Croft once again this season. The big hitting batsmen have been the team's most potent run scorer. Despite a slow season he still averaged 34 runs a match in 2004.

Athey said: "If Dave gets into form then it will be a huge boost for everyone."

Avoncroft start the season on Saturday away at Oldwinsford, who escaped relegation last year.

The captain said: "We finished fifth last season and I want to improve on that."