Swindon Cricket Club’s XI aiming for a summer of success

Spring has sprung and attention is beginning to shift back to matters on the cricket field. It has been a long and frosty winter that has packed a punch or two. The South West even had their own snow-mageddon in early March. However, the Beast from the East has now been slain and signs of life are beginning to reemerge. A promising season of cricket beckons for the XI at Swindon Cricket Club but getting up to full match practice has been harder than expected. The rain has helped spring develop but hasn't assisted the groundsman at Swindon Cricket Club.

  Preseason Rain

The County Ground has been underwater for a while. Adding a snorkel to a players kitbag may be wise when visiting this historic ground but that hasn't stopped the pragmatic and hardworking team at Swindon Cricket Club doing everything they can to ensure training can still go ahead. The club did, however, admit in their pre-season update to it being wetter than the proverbial otter's pocket. Players made their way over to the Swindome to keep training on the go. The all-purpose state of the art football facility provides a good chance to keep active. Keeping on top of the basics will help the team enter their first game of the season with a modicum of sharpness and the club will be hoping these extra efforts pay dividends over the coming season.

Last Season’s Story

The XI team will get their league campaign underway with a trip away to Warminster. There were no victors between these two teams last season as both of the fixtures were abandoned due to bad weather. With a bit of luck, this fixture will go ahead and give Swindon the chance to open their account for the season. Swindon managed a fourth-place finish in last seasons West of England Premier League. Their record was a fair one, playing 18, winning nine and losing five but, unfortunately, they were on the end of some poor weather that led to three games being abandoned. A tie against eventual champions Trowbridge ensured they experienced every emotion last season. That game will be remembered for a sensational bowling spell from Swindon’s Adam Tucker where he picked up 5/28 in his ten overs. Many were asking if Swindon Town Football Club could come back from an unhappy season in 2017. Even if things have got a bit more positive at The Energy Check County Ground, It was quite the opposite in 2017 for Swindon Cricket Club, as they continue to rise.  

The 2018 Quest for Glory in the West

Swindon's indoor cricket team have set the tone for the upcoming outdoor season. That is at least how the club will want to see it after a superb showing from the first team where they won the Knockout Cup. The seconds backed that up with promotion to division one and that means Swindon will now have two teams in division one.   The outdoor action will be where Swindon Cricket Club will want to dominate and the expectant feeling around the club means there is a hunger to improve. As for the trajectory of the club, there can be no doubt the team is trending in the right direction. At the end of the 2016 season, they finished sixth; last year was fourth. Could a top two finish be on cards? The competition in the WEPL is fierce as the area is known for having outstanding cricketers come through the ranks. Swindon too has a history of producing quality cricketers with England international Liam Dawson being born in Swindon and schooled at the John Bentley School in Calne. The Kookaburra athlete is enjoying a career that is taking him all over the world and he has featured in all three formats for the Three Lions, which includes three tests, one ODI and six T20s. Dawson grew up learning his trade in Wiltshire and could feature for England at the World Cup next year. As of the 9th of April 2018, Betway have England as favourites at 5/2 to win the World Cup. What a special moment that would be for Swindon and the county of Wiltshire if Dawson were to become a World Cup winner. Swindon Cricket Club are being put on the map and the future looks a bright one. From the appointment of Phil DeFreitas in 2017 to continued success on the field, being part of this club now is a very attractive option.

Onwards and Upwards

The XI team will be raring to go this season but the sun will quite literally need to shine on this side for it to achieve. If the rain stays away, then a higher finish this season is a very real possibility. After Swindon Town's relegation in 2017, the town could do with another team to also provide a bit of joy, the XI at Swindon Cricket Club are well placed to do that.