Thanks predominantly to the phenomenal rollout of the vaccine, it appears that we will get a full cricket season. Although no indoor stuff has been possible in terms of leagues and nets, Dan and Raylene have given us some useful pre season opponents so we can get some practice in ahead of the adult men’s league. And there have been some new boys arriving over the winter too. A mix of age and experience to bolster all of our sides....
Starting with friendly and Slam cricket, we are starting to attract some specialists after several years of having just league players to select from. Chris Dunn-Butler has moved into the area from East Sussex where he played for East Dean and Friston. He will also play some Veterans cricket hopefully too for JD. Owen Davis hasn’t played much since school, lives in West Chilt and also wants to play Sundays. Matt Powell rejoined last year and has indicated that he wants to play again on Sundays too.
Jakob Eaton and Dan Boswell are here to predominantly play Slam. Not too much is known about Jakob but Dan has played for Steyning and Pulborough. He lives in Thakeham with his young family. The Slam’s objective of getting players back into cricket appears to be working certainly if we can keep the likes of Ryan Ashley and Craig Pulling interested too from last season.
Harry Downs moved to Abingworth in September last year with his family from Petts Wood in Kent. Mainly a bowler, he’s in his mid twenties and is keen to play any form of cricket with us as well as help coach the kids.
Jack Turner is a 20 year old keeper who has moved to us from Littlehampton. He is at Bournemouth Uni with Charlie D, previously featured for LA’s 1st and 2nd XI and will therefore be a useful addition to our league sides.
Harry Bennett is a 21 year old bowler who last played at Chichester Priory. He’s lives in Fittleworth and having played in both Chi’s 1s and 2s, he will be another valuable addition to our league sides.
Our final addition is a former Worthing captain also in his mid twenties who has played Premier League cricket as recently as 2016. Martyn Swift has spent his entire career with Worthing starting in the colts and is seeking a new challenge. He’ll be a pacy opening bowler for our 1st XI who will no doubt also contribute with the bat in the lower middle order. Martyn played the last couple of 1st XI games in 2020 and has now decided to make the move from the coast permanent.
The addition of Matt as our club coach was undoubtedly a statement of intent from the committee to help push us on. It has without a doubt attracted some of the new players and stopped others from leaving whilst we were “just” consolidating our position in the Sussex League. However it’s also clear from some of the new additions that we are attracting others to help sustain our Sunday and Slam teams too.