Ben Walker has dropped a pre-season bombshell by quitting Havant, the club whose run scoring prowess helped his club with back to back ECB Southern Premier League championships.
Instead, he has decided to drop down two divisions on the SPL pyramid and join Totton & Eling, where he originally cut his teeth as a teenage all-rounder.
Walker, 29, has won the Premier Division batting prize for the past two seasons and during his time at Havant scored 5,608 runs, including seven hundreds and made 50 or more 38 times.
Prior to a troublesome knee effectively ending his bowling career, Walker took 154 Premier Division wickets for Havant, helping the club win six titles, the past two of which he captained.
“It’s a decision I’ve not taken lightly,” he explained.
“My life situation has changed drastically and for the better. I’m now living with my girlfriend in Southampton, so location-wise Totton is the closest club.
“I’ve played at Totton years ago and I feel there is unfinished business for me there, where I have a opportunity there to make a difference and help their youngsters become better players.
“I’m also lucky enough to be representing Dorset in Minor Counties cricket this summer, which will be a great experience and a stern challenge for me.
“To work along side Dorset coach Paul Pritchard (ex-Essex captain) is brilliant for me personally.”
Walker says he will look back on his time at Havant with real fondness.
“My time spent at Havant, the best club around in my opinion at the moment, has been amazing.
“They supported me through the rough times when league bans and issues occurred and gave me the honour of captaining the club to two Premier Division championships and T20 successes.
“I wish the club all the success moving forward and hope they continue to dominate in all competitions.
“The lads at Havant are my best friends and they will continue to be them.
“Joining Totton & Eling is a new challenge that’s exciting.”
Walker expects to make his competitive debut for Totton & Eling against newly promoted Waterlooville in Southern Premier League Division 2 at Southern Gardens on May 5.
Instead, he has decided to drop down two divisions on the SPL pyramid and join Totton & Eling, where he originally cut his teeth as a teenage all-rounder.
Walker, 29, has won the Premier Division batting prize for the past two seasons and during his time at Havant scored 5,608 runs, including seven hundreds and made 50 or more 38 times.
Prior to a troublesome knee effectively ending his bowling career, Walker took 154 Premier Division wickets for Havant, helping the club win six titles, the past two of which he captained.
“It’s a decision I’ve not taken lightly,” he explained.
“My life situation has changed drastically and for the better. I’m now living with my girlfriend in Southampton, so location-wise Totton is the closest club.
“I’ve played at Totton years ago and I feel there is unfinished business for me there, where I have a opportunity there to make a difference and help their youngsters become better players.
“I’m also lucky enough to be representing Dorset in Minor Counties cricket this summer, which will be a great experience and a stern challenge for me.
“To work along side Dorset coach Paul Pritchard (ex-Essex captain) is brilliant for me personally.”
Walker says he will look back on his time at Havant with real fondness.
“My time spent at Havant, the best club around in my opinion at the moment, has been amazing.
“They supported me through the rough times when league bans and issues occurred and gave me the honour of captaining the club to two Premier Division championships and T20 successes.
“I wish the club all the success moving forward and hope they continue to dominate in all competitions.
“The lads at Havant are my best friends and they will continue to be them.
“Joining Totton & Eling is a new challenge that’s exciting.”
Walker expects to make his competitive debut for Totton & Eling against newly promoted Waterlooville in Southern Premier League Division 2 at Southern Gardens on May 5.
