Following the Sussex Cricket League AGM last week we can now confirm for the first time in our history we will have a competitive Fourth XI playing league cricket!
We've yet to have confirmation of which division we will be in, although unofficial sources suggest it will be Division 12 West (North) alongside the likes of Warnham II, Three Bridges IV and Southwater III plus newcomers and 1st XIs Crawley Nayee and Hindu Unity. Division and teams to be confirmed however!
We ran a Fourth XI last season with great success albeit in a shortened season when we had full availability. Putting out 44 players on a Saturday for 18 game weeks including the always tricky early season weeks in May will be a tougher challenge but we're confident it's the right thing to do with the growing player base at the club and large numbers of emerging youngsters.
Junior Chairman Simon Capel said "As Junior Chairman I’m delighted to see the expansion of the senior section to include a 4th XI league side in 2021. This should provide an ideal proving ground for some of our emerging junior players to gain valuable cricket experience alongside some of our experienced stalwarts and against some decent local opponents."
The youth coming through is of course the main reason for taking this decision as it was in 2007 when we first created a Second XI. In 2012 a Third XI was launched, again to help nurture young players and smooth the transition between colts cricket and senior cricket. Well here we are again, it's the next natural step as the club continues to grow and goes from strength to strength.