GLOUCESTERSHIRE batsman Tim Hancock has signed for Chippenham in his benefit year.

County ace Hancock (pictured) will link up with the Hardenhuish Park side whenever possible, depending on his county commitments, but has also been instrumental in adding an overseas player to the club's ranks.

New Zealander batsman/bowler Hayden Smith joins for Chippenham's Premier Two campaign, further boosting the options of skipper Trevor Lloyd.

Lloyd said: "Tim has signed for us this season. Hopefully we will be able to get a few games from him, but we will have to wait and see how it goes.

"The link with Hayden came through him, so hopefully that will work out for us.''

Chippenham have lost their former skipper and Wiltshire star Jason Searle, who has headed to Corsham.

But the influential Richard Bates remains.

Lloyd added: "He's our opening bat and a county spin bowler and we are really looking to him to score a few runs for us.''

Hampshire Academy prospect Liam Dawson will also be available for the club at times throughout the summer, adding another option to the side's batting and bowling.

The second team will hope to improve on their third-place finish from last season, when they regularly fielded sides that contained no more than four over 18 players.

Like Dawson, Will Couzens, Tom Freegard and Pete Sykes all made successful first team appearances last year and Phil Adams and Tim Rowson should join them this term. Scott Mackie, Courtney Earl and James Vince are other prospects.

Lloyd added: "We have a lot of young members and maybe not so many senior players.

"But I'm looking for improvement and hope we can get into the top five.''

1st XI FIXTURES

(Home matches in caps)

May 7: THORNBURY; May 14: Downend; May 21: WESTON SUPER MARE; May 28: OLD BRISTOLIANS WESTBURY; June 4: Frocester; June 11: ILMINSTER; June 18: Taunton Dean; June 25: LANSDOWN; July 2: Stroud; July 9: Thornbury; July 16: DOWNEND; July 23: Weston Super Mare; July 30: Old Bristolians Westbury; August 6: FROCESTER; August 13: Ilminster; August 20: TAUNTON DEAN; August 27: Lansdown; September 3: STROUD.