Its Friday again (for those who've lost track). England have just won the ODI (spoiler alert) and it puts us in mind of what we're hoping to see over the coming months.
Opening the Batting
If during lockdown you have embraced exercise (like us pfft), never has there been a better time to get into playing cricket. We have some exciting things coming up playing-wise all things going to plan, so whether you fancy yourself as the next Ellyse Perry and want to join our growing girls or ladies team, or you've taken backyard cricket with the kids a bit too seriously we have a team and competition for you all - Surrey Slam, Sunday cricket, Social League, League cricket, oodles of Colts cricket, and one top secret challenge we will be revealing in the next week which may whet your whistle. Get in touch.
You would also have seen us spamming the life out of your social media feeds urging you to complete your 2021 membership and with our friend Bojo kayboshing foreign holidays why not spend your summer months holidaying at Casa Edward Stern with us - if the current member's testimonials are anything to go by, we have some great cricket on show, a picturesque setting, and affordable hospitality. But you know all that already - so get signed up and pass on the word of Chertsey's best kept secret holiday destination. Plus a membership is cheaper than a £5k fine so its a no brainer isn't it really. Don't forget when signing up a colt you'll also need to do your membership also.
Just for info we have had the ECB guidance through literally in the last half hour (and its a chunky old thing we hear) so bear with us while we go through it all to make sure the i's are dotted and t's crossed and as soon as we can we'll drip feed you the info.
In terms of getting ready we have a few things already happening. We have an update from Groundsman Murray and his team:
1.Square
Ron has started when conditions have allowed with the pre season cross rolling of the square.
During the winter it has been aerated and cut when required. Early this week the pitches have been marked out and Jake Taylor has cut all 15 wickets.
2.Outfield
After a very wet winter it was not possible to get onto the outfield until late February. Several cuts have been made with the cutters set at the winter height before they were lowered a little recently. Nearer the season they will be lowered again to what will be match height.
3.Outground
Andy Woods has been busy in early spring mowing the areas around the car park and far nets and underneath the far conifer hedge. The two mobile nets have been moved so we cut where they have been standing during the winter.
And by the way, many thanks to all those who have got in touch to offer their time for our work weekend on 3rd & 4th April, if you're reading this and your diary's now firmed up and you want to pop down you haven't missed the boat, let us know soon as you can which day(s) you can do, the work will start at 9.30am. We hear the Easter bunny is dropping by too to help out...
Dates For Your Diary
3rd & 4th April - Work Day
30th April - CPL Draft Night
8th May - First weekend of the Seniors league season
30th May - CPL Round 1
27th June - CPL Round 2
11th July - Colts Day
18th July - President's Day
25th July - CPL Round 3
29th August - CPL Finals Day
Tailender
We have our next (and certainly not last) request of the season - the 1st XI is in need of a scorer. This is quite a biggie, there is a fine if we don't have one so we are offering a financial incentive to cover your time. So if you want to get into scoring and fancy spending your Saturday afternoons travelling round cricket grounds of Surrey in the company of the delightful 1s or you know your way around a scorebook already and you're a seasoned pro with the coloured biros, let us know.
Tatty bye!
