Stirland, Bognor and Pagham ready to do battle

Our series of local cricket previews continue - ahead of this Saturday's opening matches in the Sussex League - with news of how Stirlands, Bognor and Pagham are shaping up for an assault on division three west.

Stirlands

Division: 3W

Last season’s final position: 9th – relegated by one point

This season’s realistic aim: Promotion

Captain: Sean Heather

Players in: Struan Cameron (left-arm orthodox) returns from Pulborough, Sean Heather back from overseas, Lewis Allen (left-hand bat/keeper) overseas from Christchurch New Zealand, Chris May (left-arm seamer) from Midhurst.

Players out: Aru Kathegesu (Chichester), Ian Gooding (Worthing).

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Other news: Returning captain Heather says they’re simply looking forward to a fun and hopefully-successful season.

Bognor

Division: 3W

Last season’s final position: Runners-up

This season’s realistic aim: Promotion

Players in: Sam Taylor (Aus), another good-quality overseas man

Players out: Michael Spaseski (Aus)

Other news: Home-grown players continue to develop through the club ranks.

This season nine first XI players will have come through. The colts set-up, working in tandem with Aldwick CC, continues to grow – the club now have 110 youngsters. The under-14s and under-16s won their winter indoor leagues.

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Ground improvements include a new picket fence around the clubhouse.

Pagham

Division: 3W

Last season’s final position: After being bottom of the league for most of 2011 Pagham ended sixth.

This season’s realistic aim: Not to spend any time near the foot of the table and hopefully finish in the top half.

Players in: West Indian Kejel Tyson, who they hope will score a few runs.

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Players out: Club stalwart Chris Hayden, who has decided trying to hit a golf ball is preferable to a cricket ball.

We’ll have news of some new arrivals at another division three west side, Middleton, plus a look ahead to Midhurst, Emsworth and Salthill’s Hampshire League campaigns, on this website on Friday.

Get all the local cricket reports, pictures, fixtures and results in the Observer every Thursday - follow @stevebone1 on Twitter for news and results.

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