Edgware v Watford Town - Preview

Date: Sun 15th April 2018

Time: 12.30pm

Venue: Woodside, Watford

On Sunday 25th March, the clocks went forward for the first time since October last year. For every cricketer in the UK that signals the start of the summer, even if the constant drizzle and harsh winds suggest otherwise.

For Edgware, it is just the beginning of what could be a record breaking summer. In January, the club announced a record 18 fixtures would be played including a tour of Kent and excitement around the club has been indescribable. However, the players and fans won't have to wait too much longer, with the curtain raiser against Watford Town now less than three weeks away.

Form Guide (Last 5 completed matches, latest first)

Edgware: L W L W L

Watford Town: L W W W L

Edgware's form towards the end of the 2017 season, was fairly reflective of their season as a whole. There were some performances of note, particularly against Southgate Adelaide and St Albans, but likewise, performances against St Anne's All Stars and Harrow St Mary's may leave the captain thinking what if? Furthermore, the poor weather towards the end of the year effectively ended Edgware's season in late July, with only 2 completed matches taking place in August and September (note, there are 7 scheduled in the same time period this summer).

Watford on the other hand are now promoted to the Chess Valley League division 1, four divisions higher than rivals Edgware who will start their league journey in division 5. However, it is unlikely they will field a team quite to the same strength as a league game in the Edgware Cup. Regardless, Edgware should be wary of an ever improving Watford side.

Team Selection

Captain Ciaran Hosty may have found himself with a selection headache ahead of the first game of the season if everyone had made themselves available. Instead, a series of injuries and drop outs have rather forced his hand and team may now pick itself.

It is likely that wicketkeeper, batsman and off-spinner Nakul Jilka will miss the first two games of the season. The news come as a disappointment for many fans who were overjoyed with the 27-year old's move from Bharat Olympians over the winter. However, perhaps more worryingly is the loss of fast bowler Alpesh Gorsia and batsman Shuraj Vekaria. The two are likely to miss the season due to injury and academic commitments respectively. Dharmish Bhatt has also made himself unavailable due to work commitments.

So who is actually available? Besides the usuals suspects, it appears that Kishan Varsani will make his Edgware CC debut in the game against Watford, and club favourites Vidanda Galgamuwa and Raj Parmar may well also don the famous Edgware strip in April.

The final squad will be announced on Friday.

Players To Watch

Ihtishaam Malik could be a player to watch out for come April. The pace bowler recorded 4/24 against Watford in 2016 and played a vital role with the bat in 2016, helping Edgware to a second successive Edgware Cup total. Likewise, Rahul Kothari could be a handful. The bowler who sits 4th on the all-time wicket taker list, has an impressive record and there's a chance he'll bring the confidence from this winter into the game.

From a Watford perspective, your guess is as good as ours. Their 2017 victory was down to the effectiveness of their opening partnership, who together, put on just shy of a 100, with the second of their openers making 80. The team thats bats well in April, will likely win the game.

How Can I see the game?

You have two options here. You can either head down to the ground itself, or alternatively the Edgware Cup will be one of 5 matches recorded and made available as highlights this season. The 5 games include;

Watford Town - 15/04/18

Mill Hill Village - 13/05/18

Finchley - 29/07/18

Belmont & Edgware - 12/08/18

Tunbridge Wells - 08/09/18