EXMOUTH embark on a new era on the Maer Ground in more ways than one when Premier new boys Plymouth pay a visit on Saturday.

For the first time since the 2021 season, there won’t be the significant presence of South African batter Jason Niemand on the team sheet.

Niemand scored more than 2,000 league and cup runs across the formats for Exmouth during his three summer with the club, which included a hefty 194 off 110 balls against Seaton in his debut season.

“Jason is going to be a massive miss around the club, and the changing room,” said skipper Fin Marks. “We will find the runs.”

Exmouth’s overseas player this season is Sydneysider Lachlan Fisher, an all-rounder with a respectable record in Grade Cricket with Northern Districts.

Big change number two is the laying down of three hybrid pitches on the Maer Ground square. Heathcoat paved the way last season with hybrid surfaces. Exmouth have followed suit with Sidmouth now on the waiting list.

Marks took the team to fifth place in last season’s final table. He would love to claim the club’s first Premier title since Richard Baggs did it in 2013, but is refreshingly realistic. He made a trophy-winning start last season with victory over Bovey Tracey in the Devon T20 final.

“Our aspirations are, of course to win the Premier Division, but our availability will be our main issue… as always,” said Marks.

“When we are full strength we can beat anybody – and we have proved that in the past.

“The lads are looking forward to the season with a pink ball, which is going to make things interesting, I think.”

Exmouth have not had much practice time on the newly laid hybrid pitch, although Marks reported no teething problems.

“From what we have seen they seem good,” said Marks. “And Pete Woodman, our groundsman, has done an excellent job on the square and the ground.”