The days are getting longer (despite some nagging rain and few grey clouds) and the start of the 2024 league season is just weeks away. We have a few leadership changes in the senior teams this year, with new captains taking over the 1st, 2nd and 4th XIs. Between winter nets and worrying about the weather, we asked them for a few comments before the first preseason matches get underway.

Keep an eye on the website and our Facebook and Instagram for news about teams and upcoming fixtures.

First XI - Jake Bacon (Kent League Division 1)

With not long to go now until the start of our 2024 season I’m excited to see what we can produce as a team this year. We have a hugely talented bunch of players and some exciting juniors coming through the ranks. It’s a big year for a number of players to stand up and juniors coming through to really stamp their place in the first team.

We will give it our all to get into the Championship for the 2025 season, and continue the club’s aim to one day play Premier League cricket!

Second XI - Ross Allen (Kent League Division 6 Hurricane)

I’m looking forward to the new season and the potential to build on the previous successful years the club has seen the Twos achieve. Firstly, to say a fantastic well done to Neil Tazor Taylor. He’s undoubtedly put the club into a stronger position with all of his hard work on and off the field, especially developing the colts within the club and bringing them into adult cricket.

My role this year is quite challenging for the club. It’s all about colts development and how we get the right juniors into senior cricket and make sure they are continually developing as they progress. This unfortunately does mean that some seniors may not get a game every week but the club must progress. Miles has done amazingly well with some of these players in training, but the real place to learn it is on the pitch. With Miles in the Firsts, it’s my job to hopefully start some of these players on a senior cricket pathway where they will become the future First team of the club. With the help of Tazor and a few other “more experienced” players our goals are to challenge the players and the club to push forward and close that gap between the lower teams and the 1st XI.

There are some tough teams to face in our league this year, but the players have netted well over the winter. With a few new faces appearing and proving themselves at nets, as well as the uni and GCSE lads returning through the summer, I am sure we will have several ‘young guns’ in the team.

Personally, as newly appointed Club Captain, my aim is to see our colts development carried on throughout all of the lower teams and make sure we are continually pushing players to achieve their ambitions of playing senior cricket to the best of their ability. It’s encouraging to see the club membership get behind the challenge. It's important as a club that we communicate internally between team captains and club coaches to ensure we are getting the correct feedback on player performances. This goes for on and off the field of play, but also that we communicate with player parents and carers to ensure they understand how we are trying to develop these players, and the likely commitment they will need to make. Cricket takes a long time and requires a lot of practice, so it's important everyone understands this throughout the development of junior players.

Off the field I hope to contribute whatever I can to the clubs social events and support the club by helping out where possible.

Have a great season all

Third XI - Richard Clarke (Kent League Division 8 Knott)

It is an honour to again skipper the 3rd XI with the great support of James Pude. After a fantastic 2023 season winning the league, we move on upwards to again challenge the clubs 3rd team against better opposition.

A key focus is to continue the great team spirit of last season on and off the field and always bring through some more of the top quality junior talent we have at the club. Alongside the more experienced players we have a target of challenging for the Division 8 title this year.

Good luck to all players and teams

Fourth XI - Nick Cranmer (Kent League Division 12 Knott)

I’m excited to be taking over the captaincy for the 4th team this year, after Nic Trueb did an excellent job last year, earning the team a promotion in their first season. There were some outstanding performances and noticeable player improvements.

The 4th team is a fantastic opportunity for the younger members of the club to experience their first taste of adult league cricket and also allows those returning to the game to find their stride again. Last year proved just how successful this could be and from what I have seen during pre-season, this year will be no different with many of the players challenging for spots in higher teams.

Sunday 1st XI - Jack Cook (Kent Village League Division 1)

Last year’s promotion means that the Sunday 1st XI will now be playing 1st division cricket in the Kent Village League. This group of players, both young and experienced, should be very proud of what we have achieved but also excited for the season ahead.

To be playing a higher standard of cricket is something we all strive for and with this being my sixth year as captain hopefully I will be able to lead the side to be as competitive as possible in this new challenge. Here’s to another great season of cricket on the hill.

Friendly XI - Adam Lowing

We have 35 Sunday and midweek friendlies (Friendly XI) and 9 Saturday friendlies (new 5th XI) already lined up for the 2024 season. Friendly cricket is booming at the club! Based on numbers, we will arrange more games as the season rolls on. I am sure we will end up playing 60 friendly games or more this year, and that is not even including the T20 cricket also taking place!

Players from ages 13 to 79 are looking forward to playing competitive yet social cricket where having a really good time is the most important thing. This is closely followed by playing decent cricket and ensuring everyone has a chance to contribute to the game in some way. Some mega teas, ice cold beverages and stunning views all help to foster our shared anticipation for the third year of this now-substantive limb of KHCC.

We are returning to some of our favourite grounds and playing some great clubs, who share a similar ethos. We are also excited to be hosting teams we have had close games against in the past, whilst also welcoming some new opponents to the Kings Hill Oval. We even have a mini-tour to Leicestershire planned this year!

All are welcome including new players from any background. Some of our players have had long periods out of the game. After a few nets, a couple of hits and a few overs, it is amazing how quickly it comes back. And if it doesn't, it really doesn't matter! All of us playing friendly cricket experience the sublime (sadly too rarely) and the ridiculous (sadly too often).