Fleming back in the hot-seat as Roffey are tipped to brush off Norris’ exit

Norris has left the Sussex Premier League club to join Crawley-based Ifield in Division 2, along with batsman Chris Plaister, while former captain Josh Fleming will step back into the role for the coming season.

And Aaron Jeal, who will take on vice-captain duties, believes Roffey are well equipped to cope with losing a player he considers one of the best in the Sussex League.

Jeal said: “Losing Noz (Norris) would be a big loss to any side. I regard him as one of the best batsmen in the league.

“He was good for us, not just on the field but off it, with some of the coaching he has had (while at Sussex CCC).”

Under Fleming, Roffey forged a reputation as an exciting young side and came close to promotion to the Premier League before it was achieved under Norris.

““We had some good times under Josh when he was a lot younger.

“We were a young side that season and maybe it was too early for us to go up. We are still a young side and Josh is the right person.”

Fleming is currently in Australia, playing for Balina Bears CC in the Far North Coast Cricket Council - LJ Hooker League in New South Wales, where Roffey hope he can unearth their overseas player for the summer.

Meanwhile, Jeal hopes to pick up enough from Fleming this year to prepare him for life as captain.

“Hopefully Josh will come back with some fresh ideas,” he added. “I’m looking forward to being vice captain, it’s the first step towards eventually taking over from Josh.
“I would like to do it in the long run, but for now I am totally behind Josh.”