Good morning sports fans and welcome to the 2009 cricket season. 

We have waited for this day for 7 months since our hammering against Sawbridgeworth in the late autumnal sunshine. The close season has dragged a bit, but we are at last ready to get going again. 

The weather in the build up to our trip to Nazeing Common has not been great, but we had a lovely drying day yesterday and the weather seems set fair for play today. (Although we are keeping our fingers crossed that the pitch is playable.) 

This fixture last year was also the season opener in 2008 and a well contested tussle ended in a draw when a storm rolled in and play became impossible. At the time Rosaneri were going for the win, but only had 2 wickets left with 32 runs still required. 

8 players who played in the match last year take to the field again, although we do go into battle without last year’s highest run scorer on the day Andy Underwood. 

On the bowling front today’s pitch is a particular favourite of Paul Sindrey who returned magical figures of 8-2-11-3. Paul has netted well over the winter, but he must remember to pitch it up on what could be a classic early season slow and low strip. 

Today’s match is scheduled to start at 2pm and players are advised to arrive at the ground by 1.15pm. Text updates for those not lucky enough to be at the ground are available by texting your requirement to Jim or Nick.