Keswick Cricket Club 1st XI captain Will Atkinson is quietly optimistic about his team’s chances in the premier division of the Cumbria Cricket League (CCL) this summer.
League fixtures are out, and the opening match sees Keswick start the season with a double header weekend on April 22/23, playing Lindal Moor in the league on the Saturday and Millom, in the Higson Cup, on Sunday, both matches at the multi award-winning Fitz Park ground, writes Keith Richardson.
And before that there is a pre-season friendly fixture against Workington at Keswick on Saturday, April 15 and a club game against a touring team from the North East on Sunday, April 16.
KCC 1st XI finished last season a very creditable third, behind champions Carlisle and runners-up Cockermouth, and Atkinson is confident that if Keswick can field their strongest team more consistently, they can be in the running for a first ever title.
“We have the talent to do it,” he said. “When we have our strongest team out, I don’t think anyone in the league has a stronger batting line up. Last season we pushed Carlisle very close in a game at Edenside and we arguably should have won.
“With a full-strength team, we can beat anyone. It’s just about getting that full strength team on the pitch as often as we can.”
Sri Lankan Rishi Upamal is returning to Keswick for his second season as the club’s overseas professional and Atkinson is hoping the highly popular player will build on his successes of last summer.
“Rishi was great last season,” Will added. “He contributed very well on and off the field and I would be hoping for more of the same. Hopefully, after a season playing in Sri Lanka with former KCC pro Geeth Kumara, Rishi can come back even better.”
KCC will be fielding three senior sides this summer and the same number of junior teams at Under 11, 13 and 15 age levels, quite an achievement for a town of Keswick’s modest size.
In addition, as previously reported, the club is seeking to enjoy a renaissance of its women’s and girls’ squad.
“It’s great to see the junior sides thriving at KCC,” Atkinson added. “And we are now seeing some of those younger players becoming regular figures in the senior teams as well. I expect that to increase next season.
“There’s a lot of talent in the junior set up, a credit to the hard work our coaches such as Andrew Bryson and Arran Davies and others have put in for years. Our next step is to have a women’s side and that would be fantastic.
“The women’s game and women’s sport in general has grown massively in recent years.
“The Hundred competition has been fantastic for women’s cricket, and it would be great to give more women the opportunity to play cricket at KCC.”
The new captain also thinks highly of the atmosphere around the club.
“The social side of KCC is as strong as ever,” he added. “It’s great to see many people down socialising in Fitz Park on a weekend. When the sun is shining there is arguably no better place to be. Since Covid we have had many new social members at the club and it’s no surprise they are still regulars. The club is full of great people and it’s a great community to be a part of.
“The match day atmosphere is fantastic. It’s great to see so many people down, locals and visitors, watching and enjoying the cricket every weekend. We have arguably the best beer garden in the world! And the commentary on the PA and the live filming of 1st XI matches to a wider audience adds a lot to the complete package.”
On a personal level, Atkinson adds: “I’m very much looking forward to my first full season as captain. I’ve been fortunate enough to play under captains such as Glen Weightman and James McGown and I’ve learned from that experience. I’m not looking to change anything since we’re in a really good place. For me, it’s just about finding a way to get our best 11 out every week and putting in consistent performances.”
The ambitious club is staging a county match this season when Cumbria play Lincolnshire at Fitz Park in the NCCA (National Counties Cricket Association) one day trophy on Sunday, June 25.
The club’s juniors begin their winter indoor practice sessions at Keswick School on Sunday, February 5 (5.30pm to 7.30pm). A couple of sessions with seniors will follow in later weeks while outdoor practice at the Fitz Park nets usually gets underway at the beginning of April.
The club’s 2nd and 3rd XIs play in the Eden Valley Cricket League (EVCL) but the fixtures for that league have yet to be published.
FIXTURES
Keswick Cricket Club 1st XI fixtures for the 2023 season are as follows:
April 22: Lindal Moor (H, noon)
April 23: Millom (H, Higson Cup, noon)
April 29: Carlisle (A, noon)
May 6: Cockermouth (A)
May 13: Egremont (H)
May 20: Cleator (A)
May 27: Millom (H)
June 3: Wigton (A)
June 10: Whitehaven (H)
June 17: Furness (A)
June 24: Workington (H)
July 1: Haverigg (H)
July 8: Lindal Moor (A)
July 15: Haverigg (A)
July 22: Cockermouth (H)
July 29: Egremont (A)
Aug 5: Cleator (H)
Aug 12: Millom (A)
Aug 19: Whitehaven (A)
Aug 26: Wigton (H)
Sept 2: Workington (A, noon)
Sept 9: Furness (H, noon)
Sept 16: Carlisle (H, noon)
All league games to be played on a Saturday starting at 1pm except where stated.
