CORNWALL captain Paul Smith admits he’s ‘delighted to be home’ after rejoining Werrington for the 2026 ECB Cornwall Premier League campaign.

The 32-year-old first joined the Ladycross outfit at the age of five and spent all of his senior career there before moving away following the 2020 season which was shortened due to Covid-19.

After spending the last five summers with Castle Bromwich in the Warwickshire County Cricket League, the right-hander, who was also involved in the club’s golden years between 2011 and 2018 which saw them win four top-flight titles as well as five Hawkey Cups and an Edwards Cup title, will be showcasing his talents where it all started.

A delighted Smith, who led the club between 2018 and 2020, said: “I am absolutely over the moon to be coming back home to Ladycross. When I left, I hoped to be able to play for Werrington again at some point. Luckily enough for me that time has come sooner than I imagined.

“Hopefully I can strengthen the batting and contribute towards winning games of cricket for Werrington. I’m excited to get out there with the lads and also see how youngsters have improved since I left. It’s such a great club and I cannot wait to be around it again.”

Smith is one of the most popular players in recent memory at Ladycross.

Known for his hard-hitting batting, excellent tactical knowledge and engaging personality, it is no wonder director of cricket Adam Hodgson couldn’t contain his excitement.

He said: “Paul is Werrington through and through, he’s loved at the club and everyone is delighted to have him back. It’s already created real energy around the place for next season.

“We’ve been in rebuild mode slightly since Paul left, but when you can add someone of his quality and character, mix that is with a professional in Dilly (Thulina Dilshan), some experience and quality youth players, then it could be pretty exciting.”

Smith has led Cornwall to some huge wins since taking on the most prestigious job in Cornish cricket before the start of the 2023 season, including reaching the final of the National T20 final in his first year in the role, and Hodgson believes his return is a huge statement of intent.

He said: “He’s obviously explosive with the bat, but his character around the place is infectious and I can’t wait to have him in the changing room again.

“He’s a winner and plays the game in the right way. The youngsters will really look up to him, it’s a pretty special thing having the Cornwall captain playing for your club I think.”

Smith has plenty of connections through his time at the club and leading the county, and while Werrington have a focus on youth and doing things the right way, Hodgson admits his return could also act as a catalyst.

He said: “It’s the sort of signing that may attract more, but we’ll see on that front.

“We are definitely not in the market of trying to sign loads of players, we have a lots of quality around the squad already and people that play for the badge and love the club.

“But adding quality players like Smithy makes it easier to integrate our youngsters into Premier League cricket without too much pressure on them.”