14. April 2026
Beyond the Boundary | March 2026
Chairman's welcome to a new season!
As we head into 2026, I’d like to welcome everyone back to Oulton Park Cricket Club and to the start of our pre‑season preparations. While the new season is still a little way off, it’s been great to see the club getting active again with indoor training underway and a fantastic quiz night at the end of February. Events like these really highlight the sense of community that makes our club such a special place to be. With pre‑season now in motion, there’s plenty to look forward to as we build towards the months ahead. I hope you’ll continue to get involved, support one another, and help make the coming season an enjoyable and successful one for everyone connected with the club. Here’s to longer evenings, fuller scorebooks, and another great chapter for Oulton Park Cricket Club in 2026!
New Faces and a Familiar Favourite: OPCC Strengthens for 2026
Oulton Park Cricket Club is delighted to confirm some exciting squad news as preparations continue for the 2026 season, with two new additions and a welcome return.
First up, we’re pleased to welcome Kevin “Dougie” Douglas to the First XI. A highly disciplined bowler with a habit of making things happen late in the innings — bat in hand as well as ball — Kevin joins OPCC after spending his entire career at Weaverham, where he played a key role in a successful side. His experience, competitive edge and all‑round contribution will be a real asset as we build towards the new campaign. Welcome to OPCC, Dougie.
We’re also thrilled to announce Avinash “Avi” Shastri as our overseas player for 2026, joining us from New Zealand. A lively, skiddy bowler with the ability to hit a strong length or pitch it up to find swing, Avi is a proven bowling all‑rounder currently playing Premier cricket for Taieri in Dunedin. At 27, he brings not only talent and ambition, but a clear belief in playing hard, enjoying the journey, and looking after teammates - values that fit perfectly with life at Oulton Park.
Finally, we’re pleased to confirm that Amjad Khan is returning for a second season with the club. Having made such a positive impact last year, his return is great news both on and off the field. Amjad is currently in Dubai, and everyone at OPCC sends their best wishes, we hope he stays safe and look forward to seeing him soon. With new faces, returning favourites and pre‑season already underway, excitement is building nicely ahead of the summer.
Minus Points, Mossy’s Stew & the End of a Barrel: OPCC Kicks Off Pre‑Season in Style
Pre‑season at Oulton Park Cricket Club doesn’t officially start with bat and ball — it starts, as all good traditions do, with the end of a barrel.
What began as a simple plan to clear out the last of last season’s beer quickly gathered momentum and evolved into the OPCC Pre‑Season Quiz Night, once again expertly (and controversially) hosted by quizmaster-in-chief Simon Hunter. And it wouldn’t be an OPCC quiz without a few unexpected twists.
Teams were tested across picture rounds, head‑scratchers and questions designed to provoke debate, disbelief and the occasional protest. Points were won, points were lost (yes, minus points!), and in a move that will be discussed well into the outdoor season, the winner was decided not by total score, but by average points per team — a limitless system that kept everyone guessing right until the end.
Fuel for the evening came courtesy of our resident chef, Neil “Mossy” Moss, whose warming hotpot ensured no one went hungry, while the bar stayed busy as members enjoyed a relaxed and lively night together.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for us all to get together and have a bit of fun,” said Chairman Mike. “Not to mention a great excuse to finish the last of the beer from last year and make space to re‑stock for the new season.”
Congratulations go to quiz winners The Welsh Invaders, while a special mention also goes to We Don’t Give A Flying Duck, who technically scored the most points — quiz logic at its finest.
A big thank you to everyone who helped make the night such a success: Simon for keeping us entertained (and on our toes), Mossy for the superb food, Inge and Emma for keeping the drinks flowing, and Oscar for the quick maths and ensuring the scoreboard stayed honest.
With indoor training underway and socials like this bringing the club together, pre‑season at OPCC is well and truly off to a flying start, even if the cricket balls remain indoors for now.
AGM update and Your Committee for the Year Ahead
Oulton Park Cricket Club held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 2 December, with members confirming the club’s committee and officers for the year ahead.
Mike Cook was re‑ratified as Chairman, with Mark Johnson continuing as Vice Chairman. Andrew Pickering remains Treasurer, while Emma Hunter moves to the role of Secretary. Kelvin Hesketh has been elected Sponsorship Secretary, while Inge Bevers (Membership Secretary) and Ursula Hirschberg (Women’s Representative) continue in their positions, while taking on additional responsibilities of Club Welfare Officer and Social Secretary respectively.
The club also confirmed key roles across the club including junior cricket and matchday leadership, with Simon Hunter (Junior Coordinator), Andrew Dufty (First XI Club Captain) continuing their roles, now with Ben Kettle who has stepped into Second XI Captain.
Members also thanked Cynthia Dinkenson, who is stepping down from her role as Club Welfare Officer, for her valued contribution to the club.
Read the full AGM minutes by clicking here, or by viewing the minutes displayed on the notice board in the clubhouse.
Women’s Softball: Strong Indoor Finish and Eyes on the Outdoors
It’s been a positive start to the year for Oulton Park’s Women’s Softball side, with the team finishing joint third in the indoor league held in Hartford — a solid result and a great platform to build on. Attention now turns to the outdoor season, with the first match scheduled for the week commencing 20 April. Training will move outdoors on Tuesdays at 6.30pm, starting towards the end of March, as the squad prepares for the weeks ahead.
New players are always welcome, and total beginners are very much encouraged to come along and give it a try. If you’re interested in joining but aren’t yet part of the WhatsApp group for updates and notifications, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to add you.
With momentum already building, it’s shaping up to be another exciting season for Women’s Softball at OPCC.
Club Updates: Investing in OPCC's future
Following feedback from last year’s Club Survey, a number of improvements are underway to help ensure Oulton Park Cricket Club continues to be the best it can be — whether you’re playing, supporting, or simply enjoying time at the club.
Recent upgrades include the installation of new solar panels, helping the club make the most of the Cheshire sunshine (when it makes an appearance), alongside serviced nets to support pre‑season preparation. Looking ahead, new windows and doors for the changing rooms are scheduled to be fitted in March, further improving facilities for members.
Beyond this, work is ongoing to review how the clubhouse can be refreshed and developed into an even more modern, welcoming and inclusive space. More details will be shared as plans take shape — so keep an eye out for further updates.
Dates for Your Diaries
Get your diaries out and save the date - our OPCC social events are coming! Open to all members, friends, and family of the club, everyone's welcome:
- Club Summer BBQ: Sunday 28th June
- End of Season Awards: Saturday 12th September
Memberships for 2026: What You Need to Know
As we build towards the 2026 season, it’s time to turn our attention to memberships — the not‑so‑glamorous but absolutely vital part of keeping Oulton Park Cricket Club running smoothly.
Subscription payment requests have now been sent to our adult, student and women’s softball members, with subscriptions due in April. Members can choose to pay in one or two instalments, whichever works best. If you have any questions at all, our Membership Secretary Inge Bevers is happy to help and can be contacted at members.opcc@gmail.com.
Junior membership requests will be sent out towards the end of March, while social member subscriptions will follow shortly after the start of the season.
Your membership supports everything that makes OPCC special — from cricket on the square to activity in the clubhouse — and we thank all members for their continued support as we look ahead to another great season.
