Champions Bashley (Rydal) look to be the team to beat in the Southern Premier League this summer – that’s if the England & Wales Cricket Board gives the green light for the recreational game to start.
It remains suspended indefinitely due to the global coronavirus pandemic, so if Bashley get the chance to defend their crown, it won’t begin until June at the earliest.
Bashley look arguably stronger than the side which won its maiden Premier pennant last summer, with skipper Michael Porter effectively having three new players.
Left-arm spinner Dom Clutterbuck [top left] has joined from Bournemouth and will play alongside Lymington batsman/wicketkeeper Harry Fisher [centre] and Hampshire Under-17 all-rounder George Pardoe [top right] after several seasons with the Hampshire Academy.
Bashley’s only loss is Devon pace bowler Dan Goodey, who plans to return to play for Plymouth.
Reflecting on the signings, Porter said: “After reviewing the 2019 season we targeted two positions which we would like to strengthen.
“They were a middle/top order batsman for stability and weight of runs and another top quality spinner, with Ross Grierson likely to take a bit of time away from the game for family reasons.
“We feel we have more than successfully filled these gaps with two quality players. Both Dom and Harry have played with most of the guys in the team and therefore will fit in straight away and I have every confidence will score runs and take wickets.
“Having George Pardoe for the season will also be a massive bonus. He was quality with the ball last year for us and filled that opening bowling slot (when Dan Goodey returned to Devon) brilliantly.
“I will also look forward to seeing how he develops with the bat this year for us, he is someone who can take games away from teams with his strong hitting.”
Goodey apart, Bashley expect to have all of last season’s championship winning side champing at the but to play, with Tom Friend eager to build on last summer’s form which earned the Ventnor raised the Premier Division batting award.
Left-armer Brad Currie joined Friend on the silverware rostrum, finishing second behind Lymington’s Matt Metcalfe in the wicket-taking stakes, but winning the Young Cricketer award by some distance.
But Friend & Co will have to wait as Saturday’s scheduled season opener at Chapel Gate – where Bashley beat Bournemouth last August to claim their first title – is the first of many games that will have ‘no result’ attached as the outcome.
It remains suspended indefinitely due to the global coronavirus pandemic, so if Bashley get the chance to defend their crown, it won’t begin until June at the earliest.
Bashley look arguably stronger than the side which won its maiden Premier pennant last summer, with skipper Michael Porter effectively having three new players.
Left-arm spinner Dom Clutterbuck [top left] has joined from Bournemouth and will play alongside Lymington batsman/wicketkeeper Harry Fisher [centre] and Hampshire Under-17 all-rounder George Pardoe [top right] after several seasons with the Hampshire Academy.
Bashley’s only loss is Devon pace bowler Dan Goodey, who plans to return to play for Plymouth.
Reflecting on the signings, Porter said: “After reviewing the 2019 season we targeted two positions which we would like to strengthen.
“They were a middle/top order batsman for stability and weight of runs and another top quality spinner, with Ross Grierson likely to take a bit of time away from the game for family reasons.
“We feel we have more than successfully filled these gaps with two quality players. Both Dom and Harry have played with most of the guys in the team and therefore will fit in straight away and I have every confidence will score runs and take wickets.
“Having George Pardoe for the season will also be a massive bonus. He was quality with the ball last year for us and filled that opening bowling slot (when Dan Goodey returned to Devon) brilliantly.
“I will also look forward to seeing how he develops with the bat this year for us, he is someone who can take games away from teams with his strong hitting.”
Goodey apart, Bashley expect to have all of last season’s championship winning side champing at the but to play, with Tom Friend eager to build on last summer’s form which earned the Ventnor raised the Premier Division batting award.
Left-armer Brad Currie joined Friend on the silverware rostrum, finishing second behind Lymington’s Matt Metcalfe in the wicket-taking stakes, but winning the Young Cricketer award by some distance.
But Friend & Co will have to wait as Saturday’s scheduled season opener at Chapel Gate – where Bashley beat Bournemouth last August to claim their first title – is the first of many games that will have ‘no result’ attached as the outcome.
Bashley (Rydal) 2019 ECB Southern Premier Division champions.
