2 weeks Ago
Mersham Sports have re-signed Indian all-rounder Chetan Kurandale and captain Jack Wilson wants more to follow ahead of their landmark Kent League season. For the first time in Mersham's 76-year history, the village side are now the highest-ranked club in Ashford following two promotions in three years. Mers will battle it out in Division 5 Hurricane against the likes of Sibton Park, Upchurch and Bapchild - all of whom have played in the Kent League Premier in recent years.
Kurandale, who has spent time back in India training with some stars of the IPL over the winter, will be joined in the spin-bowling ranks by new signing Mohammed Hasan, who took 59 wickets for Willesborough last season with his left-arm spin. Stephen Coulson has also arrived from Nonington. The trio will link up with the rest of Mersham's promotion-winning squad from 2024 but the door remains open to any new additions.
"We want to be a club that the best players in Ashford want to play for," Wilson said. "We want to do things the right way and give ambitious cricketers a chance to play a good level of cricket. If it leads on to bigger and better things for them, then great, but if you're not playing in the top division or two, we want to be a really attractive local alternative.
"We stream all our games live on YouTube, we have one of the best grounds in the area, we have a really good group of players and it's a welcoming place to be. "As a team we have achieved massive success over the last few years but the door is always open for more players to come and strengthen us. "We have a load of momentum right now and the club is looking exceptionally strong.
The first team are playing the highest level it ever has done but, just as importantly, the second team are also looking very competitive. "They got promoted last year and there's no reason they can't go back-to-back and do that again. We want both teams to keep climbing the ladder and we'll see where it takes us.
" Mersham get their league campaign under way at Linton Park on May 10 but first up is a pre-season schedule closer to home. Mers face Willesborough on April 19, Ashford Town on April 26 and Sherwood on May 3..
