IT MAY have been a winter of discontent for the England team, but there is an air of positivity at St Peter’s Fields as Droitwich Spa Cricket Club embarks on a new season.

The first ball of the new campaign will be bowled on Saturday, when Spa entertain Solihull Municipal in a friendly fixture, ahead of the Worcestershire County League Division One getting under way on Saturday, April 26.

With a buoyant membership and a will to develop young players, the club will be adding to its Saturday sides with a fourth team which will play friendly matches with a view to entering league competition next season if successful. Two Sunday teams, a T20 side and various youth teams up to under-16 level will also be fielded this summer.

Droitwich will be striving to improve on last year’s ninth place in the Worcestershire County Cricket League Division One, where a poor run of 10 defeats in 13 matches defined the season.

Bolstering the ranks are top-order batsman Connor Grant, who has joined from Leamington, and opening bowler Kris Corbett, who is flying in from Queensland and brings with him experience of second and third grade Australian cricket.

Corbett, 28, will be the second-oldest player in the side that walks out at Pershore in the league opener,.

“I am looking forward to the new season and hoping for a positive start,” said skipper Martyn Davies.

“Personally, I learned a lot last season and the team did too, but it’s important that we improve and challenge at the right end of the table.

“Despite the horrendous run of results we had, there was still a lot of plus points and I want to build on these in our opening matches to get some early wins under our belts and create a buzz to cascade throughout the club.

“We’re looking for our new-look side to play with enthusiasm and without fear and there will be plenty of opportunities for all of the youngsters to really step up and make a name for themselves over the coming months. However, I am looking for those of us with a few years of first team cricket under our belts to really set the example and take responsibility on and off the pitch too.”

The club is still keen to recruit new players of any standard. Anyone who is interested can call Mr Davies on 07821 661974.