New boys join up

CRICKET: Thatcham bowl into new campaign looking for a top four finish

THATCHAM Town Cricket Club bowl into their new Morrant Thames Valley League season with three newcomers in the ranks for Saturday's home clash with Beaconsfield.

Kiwi Scott Gibson has already impressed in pre-season warm-ups and cracked 72 against Cumnor last week, while former Exeter opener Ross Schreiber and ex-Reading youngster Josh O'Flynn will also make their Thatcham league debuts against Beaconsfield.

A mid and late season surge hauled Thatcham well clear of the relegation places last season, and now skipper Danny Williams is hoping to push on from there.

“We have a much stronger squad,” he said. “We want to get off to a good start and the aim has to be a top four place.”

Thatcham will also have Pakistani international Ali Naqvi back in their ranks, and he is due to fly in this week to take his place in the side.