Quarter-Final Preview

The Nicholson Cricketer Cup reaches the quarter-final stage next Sunday, with the historically stronger sides now in direct competition with each other.

Bradfield Waifs, the holders, host Old Tonbridgians, who have more wins in the competition than any other club. Home advantage will help but much will depend on availability of key players. Tonbridge were greatly strengthened in the previous round by the inclusion of Kent players, Fabian Cowdrey and Marcus O’Riordan, while Bradfield have a balanced bowling attack, including Tom Ettridge, who won the man-of-the-match award in last year’s final.

Eton Ramblers make the long journey to Millfield where the hosts can call on a large pool of players, including the Ellison brothers and Somerset’s James Hildreth. Will Vanderspar has been Eton’s best player over the past few years and will need another strong all-round performance in a young side which has been making incremental improvement over the past few seasons.

Old Cliftonians are perhaps the surprise packet of the quarter-finalists against Old Malvernians, but they have home advantage and a prolific batsman in Ollie Meadows. Mark Hardinges, the former Gloucestershire all-rounder and now a veteran in Cricketer Cup terms, has had another good season for the visitors.

Oundle Rovers, led by Greg Smith, a consistent run-scorer in the Cricketer Cup, host Old Wellingtonians, for whom all-rounder Ed Young has returned to the side, giving them a solid backbone of the Young brothers and the Dewes brothers. This should be a close game of two competitive and experienced teams.