CORNWALL CRICKET LEAGUE set to start today

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Created on Saturday, 15 April 2023 06:50

Last Updated on Saturday, 15 April 2023 07:06

Published on Saturday, 15 April 2023 06:50

Written by MICHAEL WEEKS Cornwall Cricket correspondent

The fifth season of Bond Timber sponsorship of the Cornwall Cricket League is due to get underway on Saturday or at least some of it, weather permitting.

Outside of the Premier League matches throughout the season are permitted to be rescheduled, providing suitable notice is given.

Due to the wet Spring, the threshold has been reduced to seven days for all divisions as groundskeepers have struggled with pre-season preparations. As a result, more than half of today's 63 schedule games have been deferred.

The Premier Division starts again with the Kernow Crash T20 competition over the first four Saturdays with two pool games against the same opponent, starting at 1200 noon and 1510.

Weather-permitting, holders Wadebridge are set to host St Austell and newly promoted Helston take on St Just in Pool B. Hayle start at home to Redruth and Werrington play Callington in Pool A. Camborne entertain Penzance in the cross pool fixture.

In the one game set to survive in County Division 1 Truro play their first-ever game outside of the top tier with Beacon the visitors to Boscawen Park.

The Premier League begins on May 13 with champions Penzance having had several close season changes of personnel. They welcome New Zealander Simon Keene and Cornwall players Chris Gibson, Kian Burns, Andrew Libby and Dan Lello. Antony Angove (Falmouth), Charlie Goldsworthy (Paul) and Matt Lawrence (Wadebridge) have departed.

Runners-up St Just have lost Steve Kevern to Camborne but will have former Somerset professional Max Waller available again and South African all-rounder Nicolas Whitelaw as their overseas player.

Wadebridge’s Matt Jolliffe has moved to Tintagel but James Maycock returns from Lanhydrock. South African Kevin Renecke returns as the overseas player at Egloshayle.

At Camborne, Simon Hosking takes over as captain with Martin Jenkin becoming the new Director of Cricket. Australian Dylan Kritzinger is welcomed as a dual passport holder.

St Austell retain Aussie Jonty Leadbeater and gain Connor Cooke from Grampound Road. However, in addition to losing Libby, Michael Harding has returned to Newquay after a season.

Redruth also has a dual passport holder with New Zealander Christopher Logan joining. They have lost Lloyd Brock (Mt Hawke & Porthtowan), Karl Leathley (Helston) and Will Trenoweth (Paul). Hayle finished seventh last year and will miss county all-rounder Lello.
New Zealander Sam Mycock returns along with Mitchell Oliver from Australia - both with ancestry visas.

Having survived on the final day, Callington have strengthened. Luke Brenton takes over the captaincy from Joe White. In addition to South African Liam Lindsay, county opening bowler Ben Ellis (St Just & Twickenham) join. Two internationals have also signed. Somerset’s Roelof van der Merwe has represented South Africa and the Netherlands while Samit Patel (Notts) has played six Tests and 36 one day internationals for England.

Jake Libby, who hit an unbeaten century in Worcestershire's opening county championship victory is also registered, but selections will have the caveat that CCL Rules only permit one player to play in a club first XI who has played 20 first-class games or more.

Werrington, who also just avoided the drop last year, have signed Australian Sam Willis and former county bowler Sam Hockin rejoins from Bude.

Newly promoted Helston are again skippered by Steve Jenkin. In addition to Karl Leathley returning to his home club Australian Niran Wijewardene is a newcomer at Beacon Parc.

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