LEIGH-ON-SEA captain Dean Waller says Shepherd Neame Division Two is stronger than ever this year, but believes his team is well-equipped to be in the promotion mix-up.

The cricket season gets underway this weekend and, with five south Essex sides competing in Division Two, it is anyone’s guess which is favourite to win promotion this year.

Old Southendian & Southchurch join the league having won promotion last season, while Wickford and Horndon-on-the-Hill will be looking for improved campaigns.

Belhus came agonisingly close to promotion last season and they will be Leigh’s first opponents on Saturday.

And captain Waller says he expects a good showing as they start the season at home.

“We are all looking forward to it,” he said. “We have a good team and I expect us to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

“It is a tricky one to start with but we will give it a good go. Availability was a real problem for us last year but if we have people available we can give anyone a game.

“The league is tougher than last year. There are no weak links and it should make for an exciting season.”

Old Southendian travel to Hutton in their first game of the campaign and it is a tricky one against the side relegated from Division One last time out.

Elsewhere, Wickford take on another recently-relegated side Oakfield Parkonians and Horndon, who improved rapidly towards the end of last season to retain their Division Two status, travel to newly-promoted Hainault & Clayhall.