The initiative involved 25 club members giving up a day to prepare the pavilion and ground for the new season, which starts on Saturday, April 12.

Work completed included painting the two sightscreens and the inside and the outside of the scorebox. The pavilion windows, doors and eves were stained, along with the spectator seats and picnic benches.

The tool shed was also stained and the club kit was sorted out. This together with tidying the dykes has helped to maintain the ground, which is considered as one of the best in Cambridgeshire.

Chairman Les Mills said: “Our thanks to Ridgeons Timber and Builder Merchants from March for their continued support with this initiative.”

The club is also pleased to announce the appointment of new part-time groundsman Phil Goodfellow. Phil has bowled for the club’s second team for several years. He is known well locally as a former assistant greenkeeper at March Golf Club.

Mr Mills added: “We would ike to thank our retiring groundsman Mel Pooley for his many years of hard work and commitment. Mel of course is our new club president, and continues as the Cambs ECB Pitch Advisor.”