Cricket Club to Restart

We received the long awaited news that our summer sport can now recommence with the Prime Minister's confusing Friday announcement(s) where initially we were told that the ball was no longer deemed dangerous ( try telling that to a nervous batsman facing a wild young opening bowler on a dodgy track ) which was the initial reason given for the delayed start to the season.

We were now informed that changing rooms & tea intervals were far more of an issue and our season was still on hold only to hear two hours later that we had been given the green light. I suppose his technical advisers explained to him that it was possible for participants in the game to arrive in their kit and bring their refreshments with them. Also it was probably brought to his attention that a lot of cricketers are traditional Conservative voters..

Even though no cricket has been played at The Gorse Croft since last September a lot has been happening with the club and down at the ground. We decided over the winter to switch leagues after many seasons playing in the Cheshire pyramid and applied to join The North Staffs and South Cheshire League in pursuit of more local cricket. Our application was accepted which meant we had to prepare our ground and facilities for inspection from the new officials.

Repairs and refurbishments have been carried out on the old pavilion to bring it up to an acceptable standard with the help of a very generous grant obtained from Audlem Parish Council.

We have been informed that the league season in scheduled to start on 18 July so with that in mind the fixture secretary got to work and came up with a couple of friendly fixtures for this weekend starting with a home game against our neighbours, Woore on Saturday ( 12:00pm start ) and a fixture against Lichfield Nomads on Sunday ( 2:00pm start ). The changing rooms and kitchen will not be in use but if anyone fancies a visit the bar will be open and spectators will be made most welcome.

The club are very keen to offer our services and facilities to interested individuals / groups in Audlem and the wider community and would welcome any input from local businesses. organisations and any newcomers to the village who are not aware of our existence.

Apart from our Saturday league team the clubs runs a friendly X1 on Sundays and is always on the lookout for new talent -- especially any youngsters that might want to try their hand at the game. Net facilities are available to individuals or groups with a bowling machine an option if required.

We are an all amateur club with the aim of keeping local village cricket alive & are very proud of our picturesque little ground and would like to share it as many of you as possible.

Our contacts and fixture details can be viewed on audlem.play-cricket.com

John Wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club