Home advantage?

It was only a few months ago when Spicer’s was graced by a big crowd, a terrific opposition and a superb and enthralling game of cricket. That one would finally settle EAPL 2022 and end Mildenhall’s own hopes, not that it always looked that way for all of that memorable day.

Whilst Saturday’s game will not be a title decider it may still have a significant baring on the destiny of the 2023 EAPL title. Both sides have been in and around the top of the table in the last two- and a-bit seasons, and they find themselves locked together once again just behind new leaders Swardeston. Mildenhall ‘survived’ a severe challenge when they held on to deny Swardeston a fifth successive win. The game last week looked like another classic where six hundred runs were scored, and the visitors will be delighted that their new overseas, Ashutosh Singh, shone with an unbeaten 150, and that he got superb support from Luke Du Plooy and the rest of the lower order.

Mildenhall, as has been a constant through most of our time in the EAPL, are likely to have a settled squad. However, they like the Rams had some significant players leave in the close season when they lost the explosive Potticary and the vastly experienced Rash. The Rams are thankful that vice-skipper Callum Guest has returned and that Alex Evans has recovered from his own injury scare. Kieren Mackenzie is still out with a broken thumb and so Matthew Hague is retained to bolster the spin department. Yousuf Choudhary steps up, on the back on excellent runs in the twos and for Cambridgeshire on Sunday.

The Rams will look to that game at the end of last term for inspiration however the visitors will have fond memories of an impressive seven wicket win in the long format last June. Elsewhere in the EAPL leaders Swardeston meet Copdock, who themselves have title ambitions but perhaps need to get back on the winning trail. Two of last week’s winners Witham and Frinton meet, Bury (v Sudbury) will want to reestablish themselves as contenders, Great Witchingham meet Norfolk rivals Horsford. EAPL new boys Wisbech will want to build on their win last week when they visit Saffron Walden.

The Rams second team are also at home, and a return to Babraham, where they enjoyed a successful first year in Whiting’s cricket. They are also looking to extend their record winning, in this division, streak to six. Currently top of the pile in Whiting’s Two they will want to keep the run going ahead of next week’s trip to title challengers Burwell and Exning. Despite missing Hague and Choudhary, they will be delighted to have Charlie Lewis and Callum McLean in their ranks. They meet Stamford, certainly a first for the second eleven and possibly for the Club? The side from Lincolnshire have won three of their last four, including an impressive demolition of Walden II’s in Essex!

With no third team game the selection of a fourth eleven may once again giving team manager Jeff Free some positive selection dilemmas! They will be looking to build on last week’s impressive victory but face a stiffer challenge away to second place Cambourne. Finally with the weather forecast to be a belter all of the skipper’s and their charges will be using all their powers, and superstitions to ensure that they win the toss.