Macc set for an exciting season
AFTER a long winter lockdown, cricket returns this Saturday. With no winter nets, kit will be rescued from the recesses of the attic and no doubt there will be a few stiff and aching bones around!
For Macclesfield Cricket Club it is going to be a challenging and exciting season. Following the retirement of a number of experienced players for the 1st XI, competing in the First Division of the Cheshire County Cricket League, it has been decided to give youth the opportunity to show what they can do.
James Cross, after his truncated debut as skipper last season, will take the reins of the first team supported by the evergreen John Birchall.
Subject to Covid regulations, the club will renew its link with Carlton CC in Melbourne and bring over one of their promising youngsters, Jack Mattsson, who will be taking the wicketkeeping slot
“My ambition for the season is to develop the players into a competitive unit and they will only do that by testing themselves against the stronger teams in the League,” said Cross.
The 2nd XI, back in the Cheshire County Cricket League Premier Division after a season in the first division, will be captained by Chris France with Stu Parks taking the reins when the skipper is unavailable.
Again, a tough test for those 3rd XI players moving up and no doubt the higher standard will take some adaptation as there will be no easy runs or wickets. But as the old adage goes, if you are good enough, you are old enough.
The 3rd XI are back competing in the crossCheshire League rather than the regional arrangements of the last few seasons. There will be a more travelling across the County but there will be new grounds to experience and old foes to encounter.
Skipper Miles Horner, looking forward to the challenges of the new season, said: “With the top 2nd and 3rd teams from the East and West of the County coming together we will have tough games each week, which is exactly what we want. With a mix of youth and experience within the team I can’t wait to get going again.”
The real pleasing aspect of the new season for Macclesfield is that they will be fielding a 4th XI for the first time. To get four teams out on a Saturday is great credit on the club and particularly the junior section as Academy Head
Coach Yoz Hughes integrates the youngsters into senior cricket. Sunday captain Matt Cunningham is leading the side with hopefully a few lads and dads contributing to the games.
The Club will still be running a Sunday XI plus the mid-week over 40s team.
Last year saw a growth within the mixed teams of girls at Macclesfield, thanks to the two new women coaches, Clare Greensmith and Helen Nicolson. For 2021 season the club is embracing the challenge of a new women and girls section, with over 30 already signed up for the taster section on the 18th April 2pm-4pm. The ECB has embarked on a new Div 5 Women softball league, which we are excited to be part of led by our Women Captain Alycia Sutton.
The club is entering their U11 and U13 girls in the east Cheshire softball league, and the u9 will start on their journey in friendly matches in the region. Training and social night is Friday at 5.30pm, so if you are interested, get in touch, everyone is welcome.
The junior section at any cricket club is vital to the future of the game, and at Macclesfield it is no different. There will be cricket for all ages from under 7 to under 15. As well as Friday night training, teams will be competing in various leagues across Cheshire.
The club will also be running the ECB All Stars programme.
The Academy is led by former 1st team captain Yoz Hughes, and ably supported by coaches at all age levels.
Looking forward to the season Yoz commented: “I am really excited for the start of the junior season. We have some very talented girls and boys and although our long-term aim is to develop cricketers that can play for the first team, the emphasis is on playing lots of cricket and having fun.”
As with all our local sporting clubs the pandemic has hit MCC hard, the cancellation of the annual firework display a particular blow.
A spokesman said: “It is pleasing that our major sponsors have remained with us despite the turbulent times so big thanks to P R Jones Jewellers, Burns Garage Congleton, East Cheshire Mortgages, MKM and Spire Hospitals.
“The club is conscious that it must continue to evolve and is developing plans to expand the clubhouse. Early days but an exciting project on which to embark!”
Further details on the club can be found on the web site www.macclesfield.play-cricket.com