Kirby ready to lead the first XI again while Fourie is returning to club

WIDNES Cricket Club’s first XI will be playing in Cheshire County Cricket League’s First Division this season, having easily won the Second Division title last year.

Chris Kirby remains captain and will be using virtually the same players that did so well last year.

His starting XI features nine players who have come through the junior ranks at Widnes CC while South African star Marcus Fourie is returning to play his second season with the club.

The second team, who were also promoted in 2016, will be playing in the Second XI First Division while the thirds are now back playing the Cheshire Cricket League.

The club are involved in the new England & Wales Cricket Board initiative involving children aged five to eight called ‘All-Stars’.

Parents can enrol their children on the following link: www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars/ centres

All other junior coaching at Widnes CC is now moving to Friday evenings starting a week tomorrow – Friday, April 21 at 5.30pm. Enrolment starts next Tuesday – April 18 – from 5.30pm-7pm all week.

All new players are warmly welcome to try cricket before joining the club. Junior membership is £10 and this gives youngsters a whole summer of coaching by ECB qualified coaches. Just turn up on a training night for details.

New artificial net surfaces have been fitted over the past winter with new drainage to the outfield and a new car park verge onto the outfield.

All in all this makes Widnes one of the best cricket facilities in the area. ● Marcus Fourie and ( inset) first XI skipper Chris Kirby.