 |  Ben Thane (left) and Jordan Hobday (above) are returning to promoted Hook & Newnham Basics are brief spell with neighbours Basingstoke & North Hants. Dave Vokes pictures. |
The return of Jordan Hobday and Ben Thane after short spells with neighbours Basingstoke & North Hants is a double boost for promoted Hook & Newnham Basics, who are actively preparing for their baptism in the new demanding arena ECB Southern Premier League cricket in just over two months.
Hook, who won the Division 1 championship last season, begin life in the top sphere of Hampshire recreational cricket with a visit to eight-times champions Havant on May 2.
The club’s second team, promoted as Hampshire League County Division 1 runners-up to Parley last season, also venture into new territory into Premier Division 3.
“We’re all very excited indeed. Playing in two higher leagues is a thrilling new venture for the club,” smiled Vince Gardner, Hook’s Director of Cricket.
“Playing wise, having Ben and Jordan back at the KGV is a significant plus. They are both quality all-round cricketers and, provided they stay fit, will be a significant boost to the squad.”
Thane has scored over 8,000 SPL runs, but missed half of the 2019 season for Basingstoke with a leg injury, while Hobday too has struggled with long standing knee problems, requiring several bouts of surgery.
“After years of fitness problems Jordan is looking fit and hungry to prove himself in the Premier League,” Gardner added.
Josh Buckingham, who has led Hook to back-to-back SPL T20 and Division 1 successes in the past two seasons, will continue to captain a stronger looking Hook squad, also boosted by the arrival of pace bowler Matt Jones from Newbury-based Home Counties Premier League side Falkland.
Player fitness
Also looking to taste Premier League cricket for the first time is Overton seam bowler Lewis Watts, who according to Gardner: “Is looking impressive in pre-season training.”
Kevin Light continues to skipper Hook IIs, whose opening match is at home to Gosport Borough, promoted in Parley’s place due to on-going accreditation issues.
Hook are again putting huge emphasis on player fitness – a key component in last season’s success – as they count down to the start of the season in 11 weekends time.
“The lads worked hard on their individual fitness levels and fielding pre the 2019 season and it paid handsome rewards,” emphasised Gardner, who plans to take a pro-active role with the club’s two Premier League sides, with Tony Robson at his side as a batting consultant and Joel Buckingham and Ian Simpson pro-active with player fitness.
“My job is to support the captains and ensure training and preparation during the build-up and during the season itself is well organised. It’s also important that, insofar as our Hampshire League sides are concerned, the multitude of young players coming through our youth system are properly placed.”
Buckingham, whose brother Matt is first team vice-captain, and Light are hoping to face up to some tricky selection issues when the pre-season matches begin in April.
In addition to the aforementioned arrivals and all of last season’s successful squads, Gardner expects Max Simpson, a tall and pacey county U16 bowler, to be pushing hard for an SPL place.
Also knocking on the door will be youngsters like Harry Robson, Will Gardner, Billy Wyatt, Josh Balcombe, Charlie Neville, Alexander Campbell and Ollie James, just a few of the conveyor belt of young talent feeding through following Hook & Newnham’s repeated successes at county U15 level.
They have won the Hampshire Under-15 Cup four times in the past five seasons.
Hook, who won the Division 1 championship last season, begin life in the top sphere of Hampshire recreational cricket with a visit to eight-times champions Havant on May 2.
The club’s second team, promoted as Hampshire League County Division 1 runners-up to Parley last season, also venture into new territory into Premier Division 3.
“We’re all very excited indeed. Playing in two higher leagues is a thrilling new venture for the club,” smiled Vince Gardner, Hook’s Director of Cricket.
“Playing wise, having Ben and Jordan back at the KGV is a significant plus. They are both quality all-round cricketers and, provided they stay fit, will be a significant boost to the squad.”
Thane has scored over 8,000 SPL runs, but missed half of the 2019 season for Basingstoke with a leg injury, while Hobday too has struggled with long standing knee problems, requiring several bouts of surgery.
“After years of fitness problems Jordan is looking fit and hungry to prove himself in the Premier League,” Gardner added.
Josh Buckingham, who has led Hook to back-to-back SPL T20 and Division 1 successes in the past two seasons, will continue to captain a stronger looking Hook squad, also boosted by the arrival of pace bowler Matt Jones from Newbury-based Home Counties Premier League side Falkland.
Player fitness
Also looking to taste Premier League cricket for the first time is Overton seam bowler Lewis Watts, who according to Gardner: “Is looking impressive in pre-season training.”
Kevin Light continues to skipper Hook IIs, whose opening match is at home to Gosport Borough, promoted in Parley’s place due to on-going accreditation issues.
Hook are again putting huge emphasis on player fitness – a key component in last season’s success – as they count down to the start of the season in 11 weekends time.
“The lads worked hard on their individual fitness levels and fielding pre the 2019 season and it paid handsome rewards,” emphasised Gardner, who plans to take a pro-active role with the club’s two Premier League sides, with Tony Robson at his side as a batting consultant and Joel Buckingham and Ian Simpson pro-active with player fitness.
“My job is to support the captains and ensure training and preparation during the build-up and during the season itself is well organised. It’s also important that, insofar as our Hampshire League sides are concerned, the multitude of young players coming through our youth system are properly placed.”
Buckingham, whose brother Matt is first team vice-captain, and Light are hoping to face up to some tricky selection issues when the pre-season matches begin in April.
In addition to the aforementioned arrivals and all of last season’s successful squads, Gardner expects Max Simpson, a tall and pacey county U16 bowler, to be pushing hard for an SPL place.
Also knocking on the door will be youngsters like Harry Robson, Will Gardner, Billy Wyatt, Josh Balcombe, Charlie Neville, Alexander Campbell and Ollie James, just a few of the conveyor belt of young talent feeding through following Hook & Newnham’s repeated successes at county U15 level.
They have won the Hampshire Under-15 Cup four times in the past five seasons.
