Coyne, who joined Banbury in 2021 and has been captain since 2022, has bolstered the squad with more youth this campaign, bedding in young upcoming talent alongside more proven signings.
Banbury, by Coyne’s admission “not at their best” last season, ground out results and finished comfortably in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League Division 1.
But the club’s ambitions are to go bigger and better, competing for a top-four place in what is effectively cricket’s third tier.
“This year is probably the biggest change since I’ve been at the club in terms of personnel coming into the club,” Coyne told the Banbury Guardian.
“Myself as captain, I really wanted to go down the youth side of things and get some young blood into the group.
“We’ve signed Sam Fanning as our overseas, from Perth. He’s a seriously good player. Hopefully we can get a fair few runs from him.
“We’ve got a really good front six with new signing Hayden Russouw from Aston Rowant – a left-hander opening bat, bowls really handy overs…
“As a whole, if you compare this year to last year, it has a bit of a different feel. It’s a stronger group, it’s not just your first XI. As squad depth goes, we’ve got stronger.
“If we do well, it won’t just be the XI that plays. It will very much be a squad thing, because there are a lot of really good players in there.”
Coyne spent his early childhood in Dunstable but moved to Perth in Australia aged eight, when his father - former Luton Town defender Chris Coyne - made a transfer for work.
For Coyne, throughout his teenage years, it was an ongoing battle between football and cricket as he appeared in the Perth Academy and the WACA Academy.
But after plenty of consideration and a desire to prove himself in a different sport than his dad, Coyne committed to cricket. And he’s glad he did.
Back in England since just after the Covid-19 lockdowns, Coyne settled into the Banbury cricket scene very smoothly, quickly becoming a pivotal player.
Coyne is also very proud to have participated in county cricket for Somerset and Surrey’s second XIs on several occasions, though his current league focus is on Banbury.
“It’s just been Banbury for me in league cricket,” Coyne insisted. “I haven’t been jumping ships for cash, that’s for sure. I just love the club. It’s such a great place to be around.
“The boys are unbelievable. They welcomed me straight in when I came in as a young kid coming across the world. Throughout the summer, there’s not many better places to be.”
On his main strengths, Coyne added: “In terms of my own batting, I think I hope to be the type of player who can do what’s required.
“I think I’ve got enough power in my game to take it away from the opposition. I also like to think I have the ability to grind out and make some ugly runs.
“I pride myself on being a bit flexible. Depending on what the team needs, if we’re two down with five overs to go, hopefully I back myself to have the power to clear the ropes.
“Or if we’re struggling, I back myself to steady the ship and get us back on track. I try to have two strings to my batting game, and I pride myself on my fielding. It’s something I enjoy.
“With the ball, it’s very much trying to slam away and do a job, do the dirty yards. If it’s a flat track, try and run in hard and hit the wicket hard, try and apply pressure that way.”
It’s an exciting time ahead for Banbury Cricket Club, not least because of Coyne’s ambitions on the field – but also due to the new clubhouse renovations set to be completed for the start of the season.
“The clubhouse is looking schmick,” Coyne said, smiling from ear to ear.
“When the sun’s out, it’s a great place to be. Taking the dogs out, getting a pint, there’s a food truck out the front, hopefully watching some good cricket… I couldn’t recommend it enough.
“I’d like to see a big crowd at Banbury. If the level we play at in cricket was the equivalent for football, a lot of our lads would be earning some good money.
“It’s only two steps below professional county cricket. It’s not as big of a jump as your non-league football to the Premier League, for example.
“I also think the club have put a lot of effort into the clubhouse and the extensions.
“If people started coming down, having a beer and watching some good cricket for a couple of hours, put it this way, they wouldn’t be disappointed.”
Banbury’s first team get their league season underway on Saturday, May 9, when they take on High Wycombe (11.30am) at White Post Road.
But a week before that, there’s an opportunity to catch Banbury in action in the T20 knockouts, as they host Oxford (10am), also at White Post Road.
Those attending can expect to see openers Lloyd Sabin and new overseas signing Sam Fanning leading the order, with Coyne in at four.
There’s no need to book a ticket, nor is there an entrance fee, with spectators able to rock up on the day and enjoy a pint on the terraces.