GEORGE Rhodes, Alex Hepburn and Phil Harris have been challenged to consistently score runs this season as Barnards Green attempt to remain in Birmingham League Division One.

The new-look Malvern side, who finished seventh last season, begin their campaign tomorrow against Smethwick at North End Lane (noon).

Green lost Josh and Ryan Tongue to Brockhampton, Andrew Curtis to London and Liam Smith to the West of England League.

They have been boosted by the arrival of teenager Kyle Giniotis from Northern Districts in Adelaide.

But chairman Andy Lamb insists most of their hopes will rest on Worcestershire players Rhodes and Hepburn as well as skipper Harris.

“It is a season where we will have to perform well and individuals will have to stand up,” he said.

“Last year, we had a stronger side but our batting wasn’t consistent. This year, we expect George, Alex and Phil to make runs consistently.

“When Josh (Tongue) played for us last year, he didn’t have a County contract.

“But he got one at the end of the season and ECB rules mean that, apart from home-grown players, we can’t have more than one contracted County player, which is Alex.

“George has a contract as well but does not count because he was in our juniors originally.

“Josh didn’t want to leave but he has gone to Brockhampton, which is annoying as they are in the same league as us.

“His brother Ryan also went and Andrew, who made a very valuable contribution opening the batting, is now working in London.”

Lamb said they were keen to give youth a chance this season, having recruited Malvern College student Josh Haynes and young pace bowler Patrick Brown.

“We have got a lot of promising juniors further down,” he said.

“We clearly want to maintain our Division One status otherwise it is difficult to attract players. But there is no reason why we should not do reasonably well.”

Of left-handed opener and leg-spinner Giniotis, Lamb added: “He is only 17 but is playing first-grade cricket in Australia and is a talented player.”