MUCKAMORE

Captain: Neil Gill
Overseas professional: Raj Biswa (Indian)
Players in: Jason van der Merwe (CIYMS), Jamie Magowan, Curtis Moorhead (both Derriaghy),
Players out: Vinod Srinivasan (Injury), Ted Britton (Glendermott)
Young players to watch: Ewan Wilson, Ben Calitz, Luke Allen.

It promises to be an exciting, historic season for Muckamore who are celebrating their 150th anniversary. Skipper Neil Gill is at the helm as the club return to the topflight.

The Moylena side have been active during the winter and have four new faces for the tough Premiership battle. Their new professional is Indian Raj Biswa, who is a top-order batsman and off-spin bowler, who they will be hoping hits the ground running. Jason van der Merwe is back from CIYMS, while Jamie Magowan and Curtis Moorhead join from Derriaghy.

“We are all looking forward to the challenge of the Premier League again,” said Gill. “There’s a real buzz about the club in our anniversary year, and there are a lot of improvements going on at our ground. We have six Saturday teams, two Bluebell (Ladies) sides, as well as an U15’s girls team.

“It’s great that we are now competing with the big boys up in the Premier League. We’re not there to make up the numbers this time. We have been known as a yo-yo side, but we have strengthened bringing in a lot of quality. Jason van der Merwe is a top signing, who is a match winner and has proven that in the Premier League. He’s coming home after 12 years away.

“Jamie Magowan had a good season with the bat in 2023 and adds competition in the wicket-keeping department with Ben Calitz. We’ve also got Kyllin Vardhan, who originally came over here as a professional with Coleraine. He’s now living over here and has enjoyed two great seasons with us. I’m hoping he will go even better in the Premiership with better pitches and grounds.

“Ben Calitz, who we signed last year from Holywood is a South African with a Canadian passport. He has hopes of representing Ireland and is now living here. Ben had a good season, and I think he will go even better this year, given he’s still only 21.

“Satish Suresh had a fantastic year, taking 67 wickets. He adds so much quality with both bat and ball and has a good cricketing brain. Curtis Moorhead was captain of Derriaghy, getting them promoted in 2022. He is a left-arm spinner with a lot of experience and is a good guy to have in the team.

“Ewan Wilson is only 21, has played at Irish youth level and I’ll be hoping for great things from the all-rounder. Luke Allen who is a gritty middle-order batsman hasn’t played a lot at the top level, but I’m excited to see how he fairs in the Premier League.

“While our first target will be ensuring Premiership status, there’s no reason that on our day we can’t beat anyone in the league. Sure, it’s going to be ultra-competitive, but we have the quality and depth to match any side.