Cricketers aim for a sizzling summer in Sussex

We've had plenty of cricket weather - so now it's time for some cricket.

The Sussex League and West sussex Invitation League swing back into action this weekend, with other leagues following suit a week later.

Here is our guide to who’s in and who’s at, and what the season may hold, for our top local teams.

CHICHESTER PRIORY PARK

Division: Sussex Premier League

Captain: Mark Bamford

Players in: Matt Gregory (Australian overseas cricketer. Played at Pagham a couple of years ago. Good batsmen and can bowl some leg spin), Richard Browning (Runs the League Cricketers’ Association with Richard Logan, which provides a community for league cricketers and the also delivers coaching courses, all rounder, captain of Leeds/Bradford University Cricket Academy before he graduated last year. Has played regular county 2nd X1 cricket and played in a Pro-40 game for Derbyshire).

Players out: Chris Kirkham (currently in Australia and unlikely to return before the end of the season).

Realistic aim for the season: To build on return to Premier League last year when they finished fourth. ‘Kirks’ will be a big loss, but mid-table is a minimum expectation and they would love to improve on their position last year.

What else is new? Bamford says: “We look forward to the potential Priory Park redevelopment (if funds allow) and the replacement of the white pavilion. Junior cricket will go from strength to strength with coaching organised by the LCA. They have a fourth team this year that will play on Saturdays too.”

STIRLANDS

Division: Sussex League division two

Captain: David Briance

Players in: Alex Garlick (overseas from Adelaide)

Players out: Sean Heather (emigrated), Struan Cameron (Pulborough)

Realistic aim: Middle to top half of the table. Quite a big rebuilding job after the loss of Sean Heather.

What else is new? Aiming to bring some of the club’s promising youth players through into league cricket. Give them more responsibility to see how they develop and cope with it. New second XI captain in Michael Clowes. Big things are expected of Nick Gubbins when he plays from end of June onwards. At 16, he scored an unbeaten half-century in last years 20/20 semi-final against Premier champions Preston Nomads.

BOGNOR

Division: Sussex League div three west

Captain: 1st XI: Elliott Clarke, taking over from Glenn West.

Players in: Michael Spaseski (overseas player from Queanbeyan DCC, ACT, Australia), Andy Quincey (Sedgefield CC, Durham), James Kliber (Shenfield CC, Essex), Ryan Maskell (Aldwick CC).

Players out: Glenn West (retired through injury), Tom La Foret (has moved to London).

Realistic aim: 1st XI – compete for the title for as long as possible; 2nd XI – introduce more players from their talented youth section.

What else is new? Bognor were a national showcase club for this year’s CricketForce event. Some great projects were undertaken to rejuvenate facilities, with the help of Mike Gatting, Holly Colvin, Chris Tremlett, Chris Liddle and Jordan Rollings.

MIDDLETON

Division: Sussex League div three west

Captain: Matt Warren