Banks and Kenway reunited at Sparsholt.

CALA Homes sponsored Sparsholt Cricket Club are delighted to announce the signing of two Southern Premier league veterans David Banks and Richard Kenway For the 2016 season starting next month. They were both part of the successful BAT Sports side of the early 2000’s and have joined Sparsholt to resume their playing days together at Locks Lane in division 2 of the SPL. Banks, who has captained Sarisbury Athletic for the last few seasons and led them in several promotion to the Premier division has joined his old team mate Kenway who recently signed for Sparsholt.  

Banks, scorer of nearly 5000 Southern league runs in his career to date, stated “Living in the North of Hampshire  an 80 mile round trip to Sarisbury takes its toll. I knew Rich was considering playing again and he suggested we play for a central Hampshire club. Sparsholt is an ideal location and we both have connections at the club. The club appears to be well run and has a good mix of youth and experience; it’s also an ideal ground to bring the family”

Kenway commented “It’ll be great to play in the same side as Banksey again we go back a long way and I’m looking forward to the banter on the field. Hopefully we can bring some of our experience to Sparsholt”

Skipper Andy Worth is pleased with the new signings saying “Players like Banks and Kenway are recognised throughout premier league cricket as being solid performers over two decades and the fact that they want to come to Sparsholt shows the progress we have made as a club. Seeing them argue over shirt sizes and waistlines at nets shows the camaraderie they have. The youngsters should learn a lot from them and I have no doubt the bar takings will go up as well. I’m hoping some of their older retired teammates may come along and spectate throughout the season and maybe even tempted back into playing before it’s too late”.

Also joining Sparsholt this season is 26 year old former Colden Common opening batsman Chris Mitchell, who is looking to test himself at a higher level following several successful seasons at Common. Opening batsman Mitchell has been a prolific scorer of runs at the Hampshire League club amassing nearly 2500 runs in the last five years which included two ‘best batting’ league awards. He is looking forward to the step up to Southern League cricket ‘ I am really looking forward to playing SEPL cricket and progressing my game as well as learning from others. I am delighted to join Sparsholt, and hope to play the best cricket that I am capable of’.

Picture shows Dave Banks (left) and Richard Kenway showing off their new Sparsholt shirts.