A NEW season is here again...

and the captains of the Netherfield and Kendal Cricket Clubs, Tommy Prime and Dave Fallows have got together to answer a few pertinent questions....over to you skips.

How's the ground looking at Kendal and Netherfield?

Dave: "Over the past six weeks the ground at Kendal has started to take shape nicely which is a credit to Kev Barnes and our new groundsman Ade Raynor. All the hard work which was carried out on the square back in September has paid off, with good grass coverage on the whole square and its looking the driest it has for a very long time"

Tommy: "The new season has arrived and the outfield at Netherfield has been re-levelled by our groundsman Wayne Chorley. He has done a great job as always and the wicket already is hard and has a lovely covering of grass. Some areas of the outfield are a bit patchy, but I'm sure this will all be rectified as the sun and rain take effect in the coming weeks".

What are your thoughts on the first match?

Tommy: "The first game takes Netherfield down the M6 to Chorley who we have had many a good battle with over the years, we will be aiming for victory and a good start to the season. I hear their pro is in doubt so it will be interesting to see who they can get. It would also be nice to see our two new players Gareth White and Chris Parry settle in early.

Dave: "Kendal play Darwen at home and obviously this is a big game for us to start the season with.

Darwen are always a team in contention, whether we like it or not. They have key amateur players in Gareth Cordingley and Andrew Mercer who notched up 804 league runs and 79 league wickets respectively last year.

Is it true both teams will be paying cup games in Coloured Clothing?

Dave: "YES! Traditionalists take cover!!!

We are the Kendalian West Indies, by that I mean we are playing in Maroon and Grey, Terry (Hunte) will think he is back home!

I'm sure this will create a great deal of discussion over the next five months, personally I think it's a good idea; if our national side play ODIs in it why shouldn't we play our cup games in it"?

Tommy: "Coloured clothing will be seen on a Sunday and a couple of Saturday games, this is where we will be using an orange ball, which could be very interesting especially with the free hit after a no ball.

I dread to think where Clarke,Strydom and Walmsley will be looking to plant the orange ball when that happens, lets hope it's a long way!"

n Readers can contribute towards the views expressed in this column by

contacting Tommy and Dave personally or by e-mail to:

DJF_cricket2000@yahoo.com

April 17, 2003 16:00