SAINTFIELD

• Captain: Gareth Harrison
• Overseas professional: None
• Players in: None
• Players out: Kadeem Alleyne
• Young player(s) to watch: Ethan Hanna, Alex Carville.

The new season brings fresh hopes for Saintfield who will be hoping for a successful campaign.

Saintfield will go into the 2023 season without an overseas pro. They have parted company with the hard hitting Kadeem Alleyne at the end of the 2022 campaign, however they will have a similar squad with no first team departures this season. 

Some familiar faces will be in the Saints’ ranks, like all-rounder and 1st XI Captain Gareth Harrison, opening bowler Mark Yeates and the skilful Adam Sofley.

As is the case for many clubs, university, work and exams must be navigated as they await the return of opening bat Adam Reid and left-arm spinner Patrick Telford. 

This will give an opportunity for young talents like Ethan Hanna and Alex Carville to show their quality with bat and ball. 

“This season feels like the right time to allow young players to express themselves in the first team," captain Gareth Harrison told CricketEurope.

"Many of our young players have shone in our 2nd XI, and we want to see this translated into the first team.

"We’re really excited with the talent we have coming through the club, and we want to showcase that talent this year, by giving our players more ownership!” 

Saintfield start their campaign on Saturday (April 22) with an away day at Muckamore (the game having been switched to Moylena).