Cricketers get out in the middle

Priory are due to contest their opening pre-season friendly away to Tunbridge Wells today (Saturday) with the start of their league campaign just two weeks away.

With last year’s skipper Jason Finch having retired from league cricket and his successor George Campbell unavailable for the first few games, bowling all-rounder John Morgan will lead the side.

Other than Morgan and Mick Glazier, it will be a very youthful Priory line-up. Harry Finch, Max Finzel and Tom Harvey are away at their places of study, while Sussex stars Matt Machan and Kirk Wernars won’t feature.

But Toby Finzel is back after spending last summer working in the south of France and Sujith Perera, who qualifies as an English player having been in the country six years, is set to make his Priory debut.

Priory (probable): Adam Maharaj-Newman, Toby Finzel, Dale Payne, Dave Draper, Sujith Perera, Freddie Hulbert, John Morgan, Joynal Ahmed, Jed O’Brien, Elliot Hooper, Mick Glazier.

Back in the Premier League after finishing runners-up in Division Two last summer, Bexhill will make the short journey to Division Three (East) side Crowhurst Park for a friendly today.

Overseas player Andrew Harriott was due to fly in from Australia in the early hours of this morning and is keen to play according to new Bexhill captain Malcolm Johnson.

Sidley, who were promoted to Division Two after winning Division Three (East) last summer, are set to stage an in-house T20 game involving players from their firsts and seconds this morning.

Sidley’s overseas player, Sam Steele, will get his first taste of English conditions. The Australian batsman and spin bowler touched down in the country last week.