IT has been a busy winter at Bridgwater Cricket Club, with changes on and off the field as the 1st XI prepare for their 12th straight season in the top division of the West of England Premier League, writes Scott Sealey.

The Parks clubhouse has seen a large refurbishment, mainly thanks to a grant awarded by Viridor Credits, which has seen the main bar area, showers and changing rooms get a facelift.

The pavilion will soon be available for hire, when cricket commitments allow, and the club is incredibly proud of the work completed.

The club will also see the erection of a new main scoreboard and a new artificial wicket in the early season.

Cricket funding officer Mark Rose has worked tirelessly to obtain the necessary funds to enable the club to provide a superb cricketing experience for the local community.

The club remains grateful to its many sponsors, with PAW Engineering Ltd again the club’s main sponsor in 2018.

TMB Patterns Ltd continue to support the club as its match ball sponsors, with Charles Dickens Estate Agents and Falcon Vehicle Solutions Ltd the match travel sponsors.

Dean Motors, who have supported the club for many years, continue as a prominent player sponsor.

On the pitch there are a number of changes to the squad and there is a quiet confidence at The Parks, with the 1st XI again led by skipper Andy Hallaran.

Last season’s outstanding overseas player Will Williams is not returning, Chris Gange has relocated to Suffolk, Liam Redrup has returned to Taunton Deane, and professional cricket has taken Adam Hose and Tom Lace away from the area.

Alfonso Thomas is also unlikely to play much club cricket due to his other commitments.

In response, Bridgwater have been proactive in their approach to ensure a strong squad remains at The Parks.

Somerset spinner Max Waller replaces Hose as the club’s contracted professional and, alongside George Bartlett and the returning Calum Haggett, both classed as a home-grown pros, he gives the squad a classy look.

Ian Dev Singh Chauhan, an Indian professional batsman from Mumbai, will be the club’s overseas player and comes highly recommended from his previous placements in England.

Somerset have also enlisted two of their most highly-rated Academy prospects to Bridgwater, in batsman Will Smeed and pace bowler Ned Leonard.

Both are expected to feature in among their other cricket commitments, as will Will’s younger brother Henry Smeed, who is on the county’s Emerging Player Programme.

The core of the squad continues to be made up of local lads who will entertain the Bridgwater support through the summer.

Andrew Skidmore continues as head coach, and he will be supported by the club’s newly-appointed cricket development officer, David Roberts.

He has previously played professional cricket for Northants, Minor Counties cricket for Cornwall, and has extensive experience in a coaching capacity at the Cornwall Cricket Board and in Cornish club cricket.

Ian Higgins and Mike Skidmore will lead the 2nd and 3rd XI, respectively, with new youth co-ordinator Matt Duckering skippering the Pointers.

The club’s 2018 charity will be the British Heart Foundation, with the bi-annual Golf Day organised for Friday, August 24, at Enmore Park Golf Club.

Bridgwater begin their pre-season programme today, with the 1st XI travelling to Taunton and a 2nd XI hosting Wellington (12.30pm).

Next Saturday (April 28), the 1st XI host Weston and the 2nds travel to Bath, with a Sunday/3rd XI fixture at Taunton St Andrew’s on April 29.