Video: Priory target big scores with the bat

Hastings Priory Cricket Club is set to be boosted by the addition of two frontline batsmen for its trip to Cuckfield tomorrow (Saturday).
By The Newsroom
Published 27th May 2016, 09:29 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:58 BST

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The cricketers of Hastings Priory and Brighton & Hove battle it out under ledden skies at Horntye Park last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Event PhotographyThe cricketers of Hastings Priory and Brighton & Hove battle it out under ledden skies at Horntye Park last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Event Photography
The cricketers of Hastings Priory and Brighton & Hove battle it out under ledden skies at Horntye Park last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Event Photography

Joe Billings is set to return at the top of the order, while George Campbell is set to make his first Sussex Premier League appearance of the season in the middle.

Experienced former captain Campbell will also give Priory an extra option with the ball against a Cuckfield side likely to include Big Bash League star Jordan Silk.

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Priory have held their own so far this season on their return to the top flight. They lie fifth in the early table having recorded one emphatic win, one narrow defeat and one abandonment in their first three matches.

The cricketers of Hastings Priory and Brighton & Hove battle it out under ledden skies at Horntye Park last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Event PhotographyThe cricketers of Hastings Priory and Brighton & Hove battle it out under ledden skies at Horntye Park last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Event Photography
The cricketers of Hastings Priory and Brighton & Hove battle it out under ledden skies at Horntye Park last weekend. Picture courtesy Regwood Event Photography

“We always knew we had some good players and I was always quite happy that the bowling attack looked good,” said coach Ian Gillespie. “We’re not fielding at Premier League standard at the moment in terms of dropping catches, but also putting pressure on teams in the field. That’s something we’ve really highlighted that we’ve got to work on and it was better on Saturday (against Brighton & Hove).

“Batting-wise, we’ve started promisingly and players have made some promising starts, but we just haven’t gone on and made those big scores. That’s something we’ve really got to work on so that we get maximum points and set ourselves up with totals that the bowlers can bowl teams out for or get in a position where we can chase down totals.”

The star turn for Priory so far has been left-arm spinner Jed O’Brien, who has followed up his 54 wickets in Division Two last year with 11 already this term - the second most of anyone in the Premier League - at a remarkable average of 8.09.

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“In fairness to Jed, he’s worked incredibly hard over the winter and in early season, and as a consequence of that he’s got off to a flyer,” said Gillespie.

“It’s great that he got an opportunity to play for the (Sussex) Development XI on Sunday and I’m sure he’ll do well in that like he has for us.”

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Related topics:Cuckfield