Ashley Rump believes his enthusiasm for the game will hold him in good stead in his new role as the Oxfordshire Cricket Board’s cricket development officer.

Just a few days after starting the job last week, the 26-year-old, who lives in Oxford, said: “It has been going well. I have just been getting my feet under the table and getting my head around things.”

Rump’s role will be two-fold as he works at the grass roots level, promoting cricket through schools and clubs and with the Chance To Shine progamme.

At the same time, he will be involved in marketing the OCB to secure future funding.

“My enthusiasm for cricket and my passion for it will drive me through,” he said.

“I have always wanted to work in sport. I could never see myself doing a nine to five desk job. I am lucky enough to work in an area I want to.”

Rump, who plays for Charlbury CC where he was 1st XI captain, was previously competitions manager for Oxfordshire County Council.

That involved him working with 18 different sports from youngsters in year one to 13.

“It gave me a very good grounding not just with how schools work, but with national bodies and allowed me to get good contacts round the county,” added the University of Chichester graduate.