Rams wary of Crocus threat……
SBCC availability issues continue as George Darlow, split webbing, joins longer term injury absentee James Vandepeer on the sidelines. With Alex Stafford away and Ben Clilverd busy with schools activities (rumour has it he has his egg and spoon race title to defend at his School’s sport day!) the Rams are delighted to welcome back all-rounder’s Tim Moses and Nathan Buck. The match may also feature two of Cambridgeshire’s up and coming players with our hero from last week, Noah Thain, potentially matching up against his Cambridgeshire and Essex II’s teammate Nikhil Gorantla. The youngster from Walden arriving in great form after delivering an unbeaten double hundred for the Essex second team.
Last week’s activity for the Rams and inactivity for the Crocus means that top meets bottom on Saturday. The Sawston side will be well aware that Walden will like nothing more than hauling themselves to safety at the expense of the Rams title ambitions. Sawston II’s can testify than the Walden track is in its usual imperious state, and the quality of the track often means forcing a result in the longer format can prove a challenge. Apart from Gorantla the Crocus will be hoping that Josh Down and Nick Taylor can continue their impressive form with the bat and that overseas Jade Deklerk continues to pick up wickets.
The absence of Darlow and Stafford may force the Rams vice-captain Callum Guest into bowling more overs, which many observers would see as a big plus. Even if he doesn’t take wickets he creates opportunities at the other end. Our Australian leggie may also enjoy the pace and bounce of the track as well quick seamer Buck.
In Whitings Premier Two SBCC will be looking to do the double over bottom side Waresley and take advantage of the match up of the top two in the division. With first team availability continuing to have an impact the Rams will also continue to without Marc Pearson. Josh Jordan joins Matt Day on the treatment table. Ben Benson will also be away. So, it will be great to have Sean Jenkins and Steve Atherton back with Joe Latham coming up from the third team. Waresley will be buoyed by last week’s win and be looking to get themselves out of trouble.
The Thirds who are looking for a fourth successive league win are currently third in the division and face local rivals Thriplow who are fourth. So, they really could have done without the availability issues from the team above, but will have home advantage at least.
Despite the carnage from above the 4th XI will again be looking to get a side out as they go into unchartered territory with a trip to Coton. This will be an enormous achievement in itself given the number of other sides that are defaulting fixtures or disbanding! It also gets a number of our youngsters playing adult cricket which is fantastic for our future.