Long-standing Wisbech Town Cricket Club captain James Williams looks to the season ahead
Ahead of Wisbech Town Cricket Club’s opening league game on Saturday against Sawston and Babraham 2nd XI Fenland Citizen’s correspondent Stephen Wallis caught up with their captain James Williams...
Captain again James, how many years has it been now?
This will be six years now, I think, of my second stint. Ten overall.
Do you still love the role at Harecroft Road?
Of course, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it. It has been my home club since 2000, and I love playing there. It is soon time, though that one of the younger players takes it on and can hopefully drive them forward.
There’s a lot going on at Wisbech Town Cricket Club ahead of the new season. Let’s start with off the field news regarding the pavilion. Can you fill us in with the current developments and the plans?
So, we are officially out of the old pavilion now. Some amazing memories have been made in that building. We are now in a fantastic temporary building for now until the new one is complete. I think the demolition of the old pavilion is due some time in May.
When will the developments be complete?
Fingers crossed, with everything going well, I think it is June 2026.
There must be several people who have made all this possible. Who would you like to thank?
There are far too many people to thank. We have very kindly been left so much over time by some brilliant people in the club, but I think Fred Judd, who sadly passed away last year, is the biggest person to thank as without his incredible generosity, we wouldn’t be in the position we are today.
What will the impact of these exciting developments be on the club immediately and in the future?
It will be brilliant for us as a club and for the community. We want to make sure our members have the best facilities, and we want it to be a community space to be used by all.
Turning to the action on the field, how have plans been going ahead of the new season?
It has been going well. The lads have been working hard all winter, and hopefully, that will make an impact on the pitch.
Fourth last season in the Cambs and Hunts Premier league after relegation from the East Anglian Premier League in 2023, how do you now reflect on last season’s performance?
Frustrating to be honest. Availability and motivation probably didn’t help us bounce back. We had a slow start last year, and we will look to avoid that this year. Ramsey were by far the best team in the league; however, we showed that we can compete with them and others in the league.
Have you made any new signings. I know you have a new overseas player in Shalin De Mel. What can you tell us about Shalin and any other new players?
Just Shalin as an overseas player this season. He is a Sri Lankan pro who has played for Colombo Colts. He is a top order bat that bowls seam. He looks like an exciting player, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do.
You said goodbye to Aussie Ryan Clark at the end of last season after his three-year stay at Wisbech. How much will you miss him?
Ryan was an incredible part of our club. He is one of the very few overseas players who has impacted the club like he did on and off the pitch. I think the fact that we wanted him back for three years shows how much he was appreciated by us all. We will miss him a lot and maybe he will come back again one day.
What are your thoughts ahead of this year’s campaign which begins on Saturday with a home game against Sawston and Babraham 2nd XI?
We know we have a team that can push for promotion again. We have some exciting players. As long as we start well, and availability is good, then I am sure we will be okay.
Is the aim of the club to return to the East Anglian Premier League and ultimately get established at that level?
Absolutely, we have some young talented players that deserve to be taking Wisbech back into the East Anglian Premier League.
Away from Saturday 1st XI what other sides will Fenland’s leading club be putting out in 2025?
Four Saturday teams, two Sunday teams, U15, U13 & U11.
Regarding the women’s side, how much has that developed over the past couple of seasons, and are you now seeing the benefits as a club?
We are still working to build on our women’s section. We have a great starting point with Amber Crossley-King, who plays regularly in our Saturday and Sunday teams. We are really proud of her achievements with Cambridgeshire. She has recently been selected for their Emerging Players Programme and the Women’s 1st XI.
What can you tell us about plans for junior cricket at Harecroft Road this season?
We will once again be running our Futures Programme for our U11-U15 teams, as well as our All Stars (5-8 year olds) and Dynamos (8-11 year olds). For the first time, we will be running a free six-week Girls Dynamos Programme starting April 22.
If any young boy or girl is looking to start playing cricket, what should they do?
Our junior training begins on Sunday, April 27 at 9:30am. If anyone wants any more information, they can email us at juniors.wtcc@gmail.com
You see many local clubs either folding or dropping teams. Is it getting harder to attract youngsters into the game?
I think it is getting harder to attract both youngsters and adults to local cricket. We are very fortunate that we have a number of youngsters now coming into our adult teams. We always have to keep finding new ways to keep them playing and enjoying the game.
Finally let’s have your prediction for England men v India men in this summer’s five-test series?
This is tough. It will depend on who India bring with them. If they come with Bumrah, Kohli, Sharma etc… I think it could be a tough summer. I will back us though in home conditions, 3-2 England.
