'We are buzzing for it' - cricket captains excited for start of August Cup

The August Cup - which replaced the League this season - starts on Saturday and the captains of our local sides can’t wait.

Premier Division sides Haywards Heath and Cuckfield will take on East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Hastings and Mayfield in Group A2 while Burgess Hill and Lindfield will take on St James Montefiore, Preston Nomads 2nd XI, Brighton 2nd XI and St Peters in Group A4.

And Heath skipper Callum Smith is pleased to have competitive cricket back - especially after two friendly wins against East Grinstead last weekend.

He said: “We welcomed a couple of new additions who hit the ground running in our wins over Grinstead at the weekend.

“I am happy with the cup format and I am just pleased we are getting to play some competitive cricket. For us it’s a chance to test ourselves at the top level before it gets back to normal next year.

“Our group is very strong but we are buzzing for it and to play at some lovely grounds. Our squad is balanced and I believe we will be in good shape next year.”

Burgess Hill skipper Joe Maskell believes his side have a great mix of experience and youth.

He said: “We are very excited about the start of the August Cup. To get some competitive cricket in this season is fantastic. We didn’t really expect it, so we are looking forward to August 1.

“The group we have we are looking forward too play in, and with the format makes it a really strong group. Four teams from Division 2, and two strong teams from Div 3. I think anyone can win the group we are in, it will depend on what sides team can get out, but those teams all look strong on paper.”

Hill have added five new players to their squad from last season. Maskell said: “We are very happy with our squad. We have also included some younger players to give them 1st team experience without any real pressure on them as well. So gives us a great balance of experience and youth which will hopefully put us in a good position to win games of cricket.

“From the Cup Competition we are looking to win as many games as we can of course, give our youngsters a good opportunity.”

Lindfield skipper Simon Shivnarain said: “I’m really buzzing for the cup as I didn’t even think we would have any cricket this season.

“The format is perfect as I think the longer format has pleased everyone as we all want to play as much cricket as possible.

“Really happy with the group as to be honest I was expecting some Premier clubs like Haywards Heath and Cuckfield to be in there.

“I have a full squad to pick from which is excellent and this has created some good competition in all of our friendlies.

“We as a club have found that our availability throughout the club has gone through the roof which is great to see. The guys at the Sussex League have really done well organising this so hats off to all of them as well.”

August 1 fixtures:

Group A2 Cuckfield v Eastbourne; East Grinstead v Mayfield; Hastings & St Leonards Priory v Haywards Heath CC

Group A4 Lindfield v Burgess Hill; Preston Nomads 2nd XI v St Peters; St James’s Montefiore v Brighton & Hove 2nd XI

Group A7 Glynde & Beddingham v St James’s Montefiore 2nd XI; Lewes Priory v Dome Mission; Rottingdean v Keymer & Hassocks

Group B3 Barcombe v Cuckfield 2nd XI; Fletching v Plumpton & East Chiltington; Newick v Crawley Down

Group B6 Balcombe v Ansty 2nd XI; Preston Nomads - 3rd XI v Haywards Heath 2nd XI; St Andrews (Burgess Hill) v Ditchling 1st XI

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