We’ve had 34 long weeks without league cricket. That barren period is now finally coming to an end. All five TCC senior sides are in action on 11 May as the Middlesex County Cricket League (MCCL) bounces back into life.

In 2024 the MCCL is going to be bigger and better than ever before. 25 divisions offering cricket that’s bordering on the first class to, well, cricket where the taking part is absolutely what counts. Brilliant stuff.

Each of the five Twickenham sides are entering the new season with their own specific aims. The ones are looking not only to bounce back to the top flight, but also to defend their Middlesex T20 title. The 2s narrowly missed out on promotion in 2023, so will be looking to go one better this year. The 3s and 4s had tough campaigns last time out – time to re-group and go again. The fifth dimension will no doubt win a few and lose a few, and, who knows, maybe this year is the one where Chris Wylde leads them on a promotion charge?

Ones travel to Wycombe House
The ones start the season with a visit to near-neighbours Wycombe House. The House won promotion from Division 2 in 2023 and so will be looking forward to the challenge of playing Division 1 cricket. In Hamzah Khan they have a wily skipper and come 12h30 on Saturday they will no doubt be ready and raring to go.

The Ts have a familiar look to them. The indomitable Carlos Nunes again leads the side into action, with familiar faces such as Pat Dixon, Adam Mather, Don Manuwelge, Ben Leale-Green and Gurjit Sandhu all in the ranks. Rashid Mullazahdah is unavailable in Week 1, but he’s another wily old soul who’ll be looking to make a mark through the forthcoming season.

The one new face is Francois Fourie. He comes in for his league debut. He’ll no doubt be looking to impress.

The 1st XI is Carlos Nunes, Pat Dixon, Francois Fourie, Ben Leale-Green, Don Manuwelge, Adam Mather, Angus McKenzie, Nikhil Nomula, Gurjit Sandhu, Sanjit Sandhu and Neville Talbot.

Twos welcome Indian Gym to the Green
The twos are under new leadership in 2024. Blake van der Linde has stepped up to the plate to replace Nakul Vishvanath. Vishvanath did an excellent job as skipper, although there’s no doubt he’ll enjoy the quieter Friday nights away from his phone in 2024.

Van der Linde’s side looks an interesting one. Given the gaffer is away at a wedding in Week 1, Eugene Berger will be flipping the coin. Val Guiraud, quite possibly the only French opening bowler in Middlesex cricket, will be taking guardianship of the new ball, and he’ll be doing that either with Phil Nash or one of the two young bucks in the side; Max Hunt or Thomas Hopkins.

Both Hunt and Hopkins have caught the eye in pre-season, Hunt doing particularly well in snuffling some poles in a couple of first team games. For the record, Berger has also been schooling Hunt in the art of Braai-preparation. A vital life skill, of that there is no doubt.

There are, however, a veritable plethora of old warhorses in the side to offer some balance. Kev Cavilla, a man who normally has a bombastic May – anyone remember his century at Kew a few years back? – is in the ranks and, rumour has it, keeping wicket. For this reason alone it’s going to be worth keeping an eye on the live feed on the Green……

Phil Nash is also in the side, and Leicestershire’s finest will no doubt chip in with bat and ball. Dev Tomlinson’s been around the houses, whilst Damian Prophet and debutant James Smith also know what’s what.

The 2nd XI are choosing from a squad of 12. That squad is Eugene Berger, Kevin Cavilla, Val Guiraud, Thomas Hopkins, Max Hunt, Wes Hurn, Phil Nash, Damian Prophet, James Smith, Ammar Syed, Dev Tomlinson and Nakul Vishvanath.

Threes host Richmond at Broom Road
The threes have had a tough few years, but, say it quietly, skipper Robbie Bosier is confident that 2024 will be the year that the corner is turned.

Bosier’s side welcome Richmond to Broom Road. The Ts have a nice sprinkling of youth to call on; Alife Gales is certainly one to keep an eye on, and Imran Niazi has benefited (?) from coming through the Hinay Dassani Academy of Life. Alex Waddell and Oli George offer runs a plenty, as do Ali Sheikh and Jonty Hunt. Twickenham’s very own Bollywood superstar, Rajdeep Choudhury, is also in and keen to impress.

The 3rd XI is Robbie Bosier, Colin Blunden, Rajdeep Choudhury, Deep Dasgupta, Alfie Gales, Oli George, Jonty Hunt, Imran Niazi, Ali Sheikh, Mark Smith and Alex Waddell.

Fours travel to South Hampstead 3s
The fours hit the road in Week 1. The Dassani Army are off around the North Circular to face the ever-unpredictable South Hampstead 3s.

Dassani is a fiercely competitive soul and last year’s relegation will have hurt. There’s no doubt what’s on his agenda; promotion, end of story.

The 4s definitely have plenty of experience to call on. Martin Fairn just keeps going (and going). The Sultan of Swing, Pete Burke, will be hoping to make the cherry wobble nicely, whilst the TCC junior cricket Tzar, Liam Tebb, will be donning the mittens behind the stumps.

Dassani will be particularly pleased that the ever-consistent Hiran Dissanayke is in the ranks. Shah Bozdar also scored a nice 50 pre-season, a repeat performance at the weekend wouldn’t go amiss.

The 4th XI is Hinay Dassani, Shah Bozdar, Pete Burke, Hiran Dissanakye, Martin Fairn, Mo Khizzer, Ali Jaffer, Salim Salam, Meer Syed, Liam Tebb and Aditya Udarnani.

Fives lock horns with Harrow St Mary’s
The fifth dimension start their season with a game against Harrow St Mary’s fourth XI.

There have been times over the last two seasons when the 5s have looked dangerously competent. A bombastic win at Teddington in 2023 is a case in point.

Whether enough of that competence will be visible in 2024 remains to be seen. Certainly, there’s reason to be quietly hopeful that the 5s will be nearer the top than the bottom of Division 5B of the third tier come August.

The best all-rounder in the club, Jon Bosier, will certainly be trying to hit the ball as far as possible into next week, whilst the Salford Stopper, Paul McLoughlin, will be there to educate everyone on the art of the forward defensive. Harry Tebb is back from uni and he plays, as do new boys Rishabh Gulati and Puneet Sahota.

The 5th XI is Chris Wylde, Zafar Ali, Jon Bosier, Saul Croxford, Rishabh Gulati, Paul Mcloughlin, Ryan Oakes, Mike Richardson, Puneet Sahota, Harry Tebb and Lloyd Townsend.

Go well everyone!