Canterbury Cricket Club relish Kent Cricket League Premier Division return as they visit Tunbridge Wells while St Lawrence & Highland Court start 2024 league season at home to Bickley Park

Canterbury Cricket Club are relishing their Kent League Premier Division return this weekend.

The Polo Farm side, 2023 Championship winners, will start their competitive action at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.

“It’s good to be back up in there again,” said captain Jarryd Taig.

“It’s been five years. Last year was the culmination of a lot of hard work.

“Now, we’re looking forward to the new challenge.”

Ironically, seven days after facing Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury’s first home game will be a derby against St Lawrence & Highland Court.

The Shrimps impressed on their Kent League Premier Division return, as veteran former Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens helped inspire them to a fourth-placed finish last year.

Their performances are something Canterbury are hoping to take inspiration from.

Taig, aiming to be fit for that game as he recovers from a back/hip injury he sustained in Australia over the winter, said: “They have done well with their recruiting over the last few years.

“They have got Stevo and (Kent player) Jack Leaning plays when he can. We follow them quite closely and saw their results and could see how they got into winning positions.

“We’re hoping to mimic that.

“It’s sort of a rivalry game. But they are really good blokes, as well.

“Staying up is the main goal - that will allow us to establish ourselves as a Premier Division club.”

While some players have moved on, there’s plenty of talent in Canterbury’s squad and Taig hopes they thrive playing top-flight club cricket.

“Tom Davis has gone back to Lordswood,” he explained. “He leaves a bit of a hole to fill in our middle order.

“Jack Wheeler has stepped away for personal reasons, as well. But we have managed to build around what we have got.

“We have got a lot