They have signed New Zealander Lachlan ‘Lockie’ Ferguson, a pace bowler and middle-order batsman. The 23-year-old plays first-class cricket for Auckland.

But Finch have lost Berkshire all-rounder Harry Stephens, who has switched to Division Two rivals Datchet following their promotion from the Thames Valley League.

Dan Marles has taken over the captaincy from Simon Bell. His side will again consist of several highly talented youngsters, including pace bowler Callum Gregory, who is a regular in the Berkshire senior squad, and Billy Rogers, a prolific run scorer for his club and the Berkshire Academy.

For groundsman Paul Maynard, this will be his 40th season preparing the Finchampstead wickets.

Meanwhile, after two warm up match defeats against Hartley Wintney and Valley End, Finch completed their pre-season with a win at Surrey side Guildford.

Guildford batted first and Craig Hodges removed both openers, Tom Collins and Joe Cunningham.

But Australian Lincoln Edwards then hammered the Finch attack to take their total to 154 before he became the fifth wicket down, caught on the boundary by Max Uttley off spinner Matt Harper.

Finch then turned to spin and reduced Guildford to 247-7, with Max Stevenson taking 3-46.

Marles removed the last pair of Guildford batsmen as the hosts were dismissed for 249 in 43 overs.

Bell and Andrew House put on 44 for the opening Finch wicket before both fell to Ed Lowe.

Gary Loveday and Billy Rogers pushed the score along, but it took a blistering and unbroken partnership between Marles (104 no) and Ferguson (66no) to lead Finch to a six wicket win on 250-4 with three over to spare.