Our mens First XI returned to training on Monday night after the festive break as they continue preparations for the new season.
We caught up with Head Coach Tom Lambert to see how the squad were shaping up.
“It’s nice to be back in and work off some Turkey. The boys were in very good spirits and the turn out was as always, excellent.”
“I seem to always say it around this time but it’s another year where there’s a significant transition of players. Always a sign that you’re doing well but also that we continue to push our young pathway players through to the top. The departure of Rhodri Lewis to Wales and retirement of Tom Nugent will always leave a hole to fill. Luke Beaven will also, whilst not retired, take a back seat more next summer as we look to continue to develop and bring through our young players. With over 35 titles between the three, their quality and experience will take some replacing but with the return of Ben Salter and Eddie Campion from Middlesex and Andrew MacEwen from Hampshire we look forward to integrating last years Academy players back into NCCA life as they look to go again with their cricket journey.”
“The senior players were excellent on their return and will have big parts to play in moulding another team and helping to develop players as we move forward. The standards Tommy, Woodsy, Lincs, Archie, Rish and Johnny showed first week back was exactly what I’d expect. I’m lucky to have them. They’re there for themselves to prep for the season ahead, and in many of their cases, coach and mentor the next crop. Tommy was particularly good in putting the lads through their paces as we look to improve our physical condition as a squad in the months to come. To be the fittest strongest most robust side on the circuit is one of our key aims this winter.”
“I’m really excited in the squad we have and as a coach the turnover of players always brings added motivation to start another cycle, with success as a team equally as important alongside development of players. We continue to have the potential to do both in the years ahead.”
“Whilst not here, Rhys Lewis, Adam Searle, Eddie Campion and Dan O’Driscoll are getting quality time on task in Australia and New Zealand so the squad is shaping up nicely. From our pathway there’s some good ones to look out for with the likes of Connor Lamsdale, Abdullah Iqbal, Thomas Wellings, Elliott Saunders, Ralph Beer, Jago Edsberg, Charlie Hunt, Bobby Brown and Finn Mercer all ones to look out for in the years to come. They’ll all spend time at points this winter with the squad.”
“Cold dark January’s are pretty putrid! This group of players have certainly brightened my first week back in the hall! Four months to go……”