Four months had passed since the cricket bag had been solemnly consigned to the loft. The lounge had been redecorated a forgettable shade of white whilst listening to Test Match Special but that hadn’t helped.

As he sat in his dressing gown at 3am watching the Aussies tussle with India he started to believe that only he knew the secret of how to play Jasprit Bumrah. ´Get forward son, look for the shiny side, oh for heaven’s sake stop fishing outside off stump’.

By Christmas Eve he’d perfected an unplayable googly after several hours spent spinning a Terrys Chocolate orange from one hand to the other. ‘I’ve more weaponry than your average Texan housewife ´ he thought, ‘next year will surely be my year. Just wait until the others see what I’ve learned ‘.

Yes that’s right folks - CRICKET IS BACK !!

Starting Tuesday 11th February for 8 consecutive weeks we will be meeting at the splendid Kingsbrook School in Bierton. Sessions run from 19:30hrs to 21:00hrs giving ample time for an ice bath to restore some movement for the following Wednesday.

With 4 nets, excellent lighting and plenty of room for that extended run up, we invite junior players from U13 (year 8) upwards to join the sessions and remind the majority what fully functional knees can do.

So fish out your kit, repair the holes chewed by vermin and slap a coat of linseed oil on the bat.

Martin Middleton, our revered treasurer, will advise of costs once he has recovered from being visited by the ghost of Christmas past - but be assured it’ll be worth every penny.