Ed Ellis is to skipper St Cross Symondians in the ECB Southern Premier League this summer, with the Winchester club eager to repeat its title triumph of four years ago.
St Cross were crowned Premier Division champions for the first time in 2018, with batsman/wicketkeeper Ellis celebrating his first season at the Green Jackets with a winner’s medal.
Having cut his teeth in adult cricket at Sparsholt as a promising teenage gloveman, Ellis had spent the previous five seasons at Lymington, producing arguably his best form in 2016 and 2017 for both the New Forest club and for Dorset in the Minor Counties Championship.
Vice-captain to left-hand opener Tom Foyle in the title season, Ellis led St Cross to success in last summer’s truncated Southern League Cup.
He’ll wear the captain’s armband for real this summer, with Simon Beetham – ironically his skipper at Lymington – second in command.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge. All being well we’ll get a full and proper season in and play some top competitive cricket in what looks a pretty strong Premier League,” he said.
With the sun shining and lockdown restrictions relaxed, Ellis has wasted no time in getting Symondians’ preparations for the season under way.
He added: “We’ve started training with a lot of emphasis on fitness and fielding. Being restricted to smaller groups is perfect for proper and constructive net practice sessions.
“We have had great numbers to training over the last few years and are now looking to take the sessions to the next level. If everyone strives to get better every time, they train we will fulfil our potential as a squad’’.
Exciting
St Cross have retained all of their players, but Ellis plans to announce one or two new signings which will boost the Winchester club’s overall strength for what promises to be a demanding season.
“We are in the fantastic position of fielding sides in not only the Premier Division, but also the feeder league immediately below, so there is going to be great competition in the squad which is an exciting place to be” Ellis beamed.
“I imagine that’s almost a unique situation. To have our first and second teams competing in the top 20 and a 3rd XI in Hampshire League Division 1 is superb and guarantees good standard cricket across the board.”
St Cross have strong friendly matches planned – a first and second team double header against South Wilts at the Green Jackets in April 17 and at promoted Hook & Newnham Basics the following Saturday.
The Southern Premier League season begins on May 1 with St Cross Symondians hosting Bournemouth – ironically, a repeat of last September’s League Cup final – and Dave Orchard’s second team at Calmore Sports.
St Cross were crowned Premier Division champions for the first time in 2018, with batsman/wicketkeeper Ellis celebrating his first season at the Green Jackets with a winner’s medal.
Having cut his teeth in adult cricket at Sparsholt as a promising teenage gloveman, Ellis had spent the previous five seasons at Lymington, producing arguably his best form in 2016 and 2017 for both the New Forest club and for Dorset in the Minor Counties Championship.
Vice-captain to left-hand opener Tom Foyle in the title season, Ellis led St Cross to success in last summer’s truncated Southern League Cup.
He’ll wear the captain’s armband for real this summer, with Simon Beetham – ironically his skipper at Lymington – second in command.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge. All being well we’ll get a full and proper season in and play some top competitive cricket in what looks a pretty strong Premier League,” he said.
With the sun shining and lockdown restrictions relaxed, Ellis has wasted no time in getting Symondians’ preparations for the season under way.
He added: “We’ve started training with a lot of emphasis on fitness and fielding. Being restricted to smaller groups is perfect for proper and constructive net practice sessions.
“We have had great numbers to training over the last few years and are now looking to take the sessions to the next level. If everyone strives to get better every time, they train we will fulfil our potential as a squad’’.
Exciting
St Cross have retained all of their players, but Ellis plans to announce one or two new signings which will boost the Winchester club’s overall strength for what promises to be a demanding season.
“We are in the fantastic position of fielding sides in not only the Premier Division, but also the feeder league immediately below, so there is going to be great competition in the squad which is an exciting place to be” Ellis beamed.
“I imagine that’s almost a unique situation. To have our first and second teams competing in the top 20 and a 3rd XI in Hampshire League Division 1 is superb and guarantees good standard cricket across the board.”
St Cross have strong friendly matches planned – a first and second team double header against South Wilts at the Green Jackets in April 17 and at promoted Hook & Newnham Basics the following Saturday.
The Southern Premier League season begins on May 1 with St Cross Symondians hosting Bournemouth – ironically, a repeat of last September’s League Cup final – and Dave Orchard’s second team at Calmore Sports.
St Cross captaincy in safe hands .. or gloves.
