Southampton Rangers captain Dalin Richardson is bent on proving the sceptics wrong with many onlookers questioning his side’s ability to survive in the Premier Division 50 overs league or get promoted from the Athene T20 First Division after the departures of several star players.

Despite a nine-wicket defeat against St George’s in the club’s opening match of the season and the transfers of accomplished players Janeiro Tucker, Dion Stovell and Charles Trott, along with highly rated fast bowler Nirobi Smith-Mills, Richardson believes their loss has allowed for positives in terms of the energy on display at the South Shore institution.

“My goal is to stay in the Premier, get promoted in T20 and I know we can win Western County,” said Richardson, who played a true captain’s role against St George’s with an unbeaten 33.

“But my main goal is to show that we can do it without those who other people may say are superstars, because everyone is a superstar in my eyes and everybody can make their own name.

“Just because someone is already established as a cricketer, that doesn’t mean someone else can’t come along and be just as good or better.

“I don’t need any other big names to help me out. I'm going to make sure we do it by motivating the weaker ones around me.”

Cast in the shadows last season, Richardson was noticeably more assertive in the field and at the crease during Sunday’s match and he has also taken on greater responsibilities off the pitch in concert with new coach Curtis Jackson, club management and even the groundspersons.

“I’m taking everything under my responsibility,” said Richardson, a former Bermuda Under-19 captain.

“Last year those guys took mostly everything as their responsibility, as far as the club and what we need. This year I have taken the initiative to go out there and work with the groundsman on the pitch myself. I’ve been in certain meetings with certain people in regard to being able to get the right equipment that’s needed.

“I'm making sure guys are committed to training and preparing and understanding their roles.

“I want people to be looking at this as not just cricket, because we stand for more than that and I’m glad that the players are responding and showing what we’re worth.

“If you came out and watched the energy in our first match, with everybody trying and putting in full effort, I’ve never been in an environment like that here at Rangers. I love it and we will get even better with results as we grow together as a unit.

“Obviously I batted the best today, but as I am batting, I'm not just batting for myself, I’m coaching as well. As I am batting, I'm trying to help guys understand the game and why I'm doing certain things.

“Obviously, I’m going to want to take more of the strike because I’m a more experienced player and batsman, but but I’m willing to put 110 percent into the team because we’re all learning.”

While some may have seen it as early-season excitement after months away from the pitch, Richardson is certain of a more positive “vibe” pervading the team, energy he seeks to harness as part of the rebuilding process.

“This is the first game I’ve ever played for Rangers that was full of positivity,” said Richardson.

“The effort was there. Right now, with this rebuilding that's going on. It’s more than just a cricket team. We are looking to prove a point that we can do it no matter what.

“Today we had 17 guys on our team sheet and I’ve never seen that at Southampton Rangers in my entire life. And it shows that guys are coming for more than just the cricket. They are training on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as our traditional Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“The guys are really committed and while we may not have the best team, we have guys who are willing to go all the way for the team.”