HIMBLETON chairman and first-team player Stuart Dickenson predicts a successful summer of cricket ahead as preparations for the 2020 season continue.
The club’s first team maintained their status in Division Two of the Worcestershire County League last term in the first campaign since a restructuring of the league, courtesy of a tenth-placed finish.
The Meadow Boys’ second team will again step out in Division Nine hoping to build on a promising finish of sixth in 2019.
Dickenson says hopes are high, not least because of a rise in interest from players willing to turn out for the club.
“It’s great that we have a growing membership, particularly in the current climate,” he said. “We were at a tipping point where we couldn’t be confident of raising three teams on a Saturday, so the next logical step was to give Sunday cricket another go.
“We want to make sure all of our members get the opportunity of a game at the weekends and it will also, importantly, offer a route to adult cricket for the younger members.”
In a minor shake-up of the first XI, Sean Jenkins will captain the side in place of Richard Sugden.
Caspar Jones and Gavin Wright will continue their roles as skippers of the second and Sunday XIs respectively.
Traditional social cricket, which will again be hosted by Antony Kent, on a Wednesday will remain a staple at the club over the summer.
With a sum of £5,000 raised to install an artificial wicket on the club’s premises at Harrow Lane, Dickenson was thankful for the donations received and said the quality of training sessions will be improved as a result.
He added: “With a growing membership playing cricket at a good level, an expanding fixture list and a great social atmosphere, I believe we have all the ingredients here to create a wonderful summer of cricket
