DORSET captain Luke Webb lavished praise on the “absolutely awesome” Ed Ellis as the wicketkeeper-batter takes the reins of head coach this season.

Ellis steps up to lead the county side after Paul Prichard departed for coaching roles with Hampshire and Southern Vipers in February.

Ellis and Webb were on the books at Oxford MCCU, with Ellis also honing his coaching skills at the university.

And the Ellis era began with two T20 friendly wins over Free Foresters ahead of the NCCA T20 curtain-raisers against Wiltshire on Sunday.

Webb told the Dorset Echo: “I’ve worked with Ed when he was coach. He was coach when I was playing university cricket for a bit.

“I know first-hand how effective he is and how good he is in coaching roles. He’s got a lot of experience.

“He’s won the Southern League with St Cross – I don’t think you’ll find a bad word spoken about him. He carries himself excellently.

“He’s a brilliant motivator, he’s got a very good relationship with the players. What he’s done so far has been absolutely awesome.

“The pre-season sessions he’s led and then the first game on Sunday, it’s been a really smooth transition.

“I’m fully confident he’s the right man to lead us this season.”