- Last season, York men’s 1sts reached the Cup final (Photo: Oliver Todd)
Once more the English Cricket season gets under way, or at least it is supposed to, but the English weather seems to be having its say. March was a beautiful month for cricket, dry and sunny, allowing firm pitches and good outfields to be prepared. Yet April has been a washout, with the last few weeks being blighted by perpetual heavy showers.
Across the country the beginning of the season has been affected with cancellations, and other matches played on green and tricky wickets. In the County Championship, runs have been hard to come by, as the early season wickets greatly favour the seam bowling attacks.
The weather has already affected the start of the university season in York, as the Men’s 1st XI’s season was supposed to begin on Sunday with a trip to Durham 2nd XI, but that was then cancelled due to the abysmal weather. The rearranged match for today (24th April), has also been rained off, meaning the match is officially “abandoned” and both sides get one point each. Barring further rainfall, Andy Kirkwood’s side host Leeds 2nd XI at 22 Acres tomorrow, before another home match on Sunday against local rivals York St Johns. A busy and important week awaits the team, as they aim to get their season off to a flying start.
The Ladies 1st XI are entering BUCS for the first time, and will be competing in Northern Division 1B, along with three other teams. Their season also starts on Wednesday, as they make the journey over the Pennines to play Manchester 1st XI. They’ll be hoping to make a big impression on the league at the first asking, and a good start would greatly boost their cause. Unlike the Men, they only play once this week, so can focus all their attentions on the one match.
York Men’s 2’s and 3’s both play in Northern Division 5B, and both start their season on Wednesday, as the inter-club rivalry may hot up over the course of the campaign. The 3rd XI have an away trip to Bradford, where they play Bradford 2nd XI, whilst York’s 2nd XI host Sheffield at 22 Acres. Hopefully the university can manage to get one of the two teams promoted out of the division, but only time will tell. With the 1sts and 2nds at home, its time for you to play your part and get down and support our cricketers.
The big question is what part will the weather play, and will our teams be able to dodge the showers and get their season off to a perfect start. The wickets are likely to be tricky, and the outfield slow and stodgy, so runs will be a luxury. The waiting is over, it’s time for the season to begin. Come back to Vision later in the week to find out all of the results.
The weather had it’s say. Men’s 1sts games on tuesday and wednesday both rained off, as was Men’s 2nds.
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