After what was arguably the longest winter since the beginning of time (well, it certainly felt that way) Keswick Cricket Club snaps back into action this weekend with a double header of home games for the 1st XI led by captain Will Atkinson.
And the prospect of a busy weekend at KCC’s multi award-winning Fitz Park ground holds a lot of promise, both socially and on the sporting front, as first Lindal Moor (in the league on Saturday, noon start) and then Millom (in the Higson Cup on Sunday, also noon) come calling, writes Keith Richardson.
Keswick go into both games with strong squads that include overseas professional Rishi Upamal, who flew in on Tuesday from Colombo, Sri Lanka, after a highly successful first season in 2022 when he impressed with his on-field performances, coaching ability, amicable nature and infectious laugh.
The KCC squad for the weekend games – with some players available on Saturday but not Sunday (and vice versa) is: Will Atkinson (captain), Arran Davies, James Benson, Lewis Edwards, Dan Gaskell, Joe Grisdale, Paul Hindmarch, Steve Hindmarch, Oscar Link (wk), James McGown, Scott McGown, Steve Moss, Finn Turnbull and Rishi Upamal (professional).
One key player to be missing is all-rounder Glen Weightman who has suffered a long-term leg injury playing rugby union and who may now miss most of the season.
And it is also to be hoped that Ruairidh Barker (the prodigal son) might also make an unexpected return from his travels.
It almost seems as if Keswick has acquired a new player with the return – after virtually an entire season out with a back injury – of opening bowler Finn Turnbull. And the inclusion in the squad of youngster Lewis Edwards is a strong indication of the high regard in which he is held.
For the league game on Saturday, newly promoted Lindal Moor arrive at Keswick without a professional. However, they have signed an ‘overseas amateur’ in New Zealand seam bowler Aseem Wadhwa. He will be missing on Saturday as he is not expected to arrive in the UK until next week.
On the Sunday for the cup game, Millom’s overseas professional is the Indian all rounder Aditya Shrivastava (29) who is a right-hand top order bat and leg spin bowler.
It is to be hoped that Keswick can get their league campaign in the premier division of the Cumbria Cricket League off to a positive start as they look to improve on last season’s third place finish. Showers are forecast in the morning at the weekend but turning fine in the afternoon.
Captain Atkinson is certainly looking forward to the new season at Keswick CC and is confident that his team and the club can have a successful and enjoyable season.
“There is a real buzz about the place, training has gone well,” he says, “And I believe we can improve on last summer.
“Also important is the social atmosphere around the club and the fantastic support we receive from the local community. This has been great, and we hope to see that amazing support, from visitors as well as locals, continue into the summer of 2023 making it a memorable season in more ways than one.”
The social and playing side at Keswick will certainly be enhanced by the renaissance of a women’s and girls’ squad at KCC. The first training session was held on a sunny Tuesday evening this week and attracted 17 players, a great start to this new KCC initiative.
Keswick CC’s 2nd XI also plays a vital part in the club, and they open their new league campaign in the first division of the Eden Valley Cricket League (EVCL) at Gamblesby this Saturday.
Captain Jamie D’Leny and his players will be looking to push hard for a promotion place.
On other fronts, 1st XI player, Scott McGown, will certainly have a summer to remember as he has been selected for the Cumbria Cricket Board tour of Sri Lanka in June (more on that in future reports).
The club’s fixture card is available at the clubhouse this weekend, and, in a new departure, the club is distributing a leaflet to all households in Keswick outlining the summer programme of events at Fitz Park, including junior cricket and coaching.
At the same time the club is also selling signed copies of Matthew Appleby’s wonderful cricket book essentially about his father, the late Edgar Appleby, who was a treasurer and president of KCC.
Finally, the club is also to publish its own annual KCC magazine in mid-summer.
