Haverhill Cricket Club recruit former players Adam Dellar and Anthony Phillips among batch of four new signings

The new cricket season may still be more than four months away, but Haverhill have wasted little time in putting together what they believe will be a competitive 2025 squad.

A quartet of players – two of whom are already familiar faces at Manor Road – have committed to joining up with captain Ben Wilkins’ side for another assault on Division Two of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship.

Wilkins has been able to tempt both Adam Dellar and Anthony Phillips back to the club, while Nick Griggs and Marc Pearson have been convinced to sign on from neighbouring Sawston & Babraham.

And the skipper believes that the previous campaign’s successful fight against relegation was key in getting those deals over the line.

He said: “We always had people lined up and players we were keen to sign as last season went on, but we had to see where we were going to end up before we had any big talks.

“As soon as we knew we’d be in Division Two again we decided to go after those players.

“It would have been very tough to recruit that standard of player had we been relegated to Division Three because I think those players would have probably had second thoughts about joining us if we weren’t in Division Two again.

“We’ve had a young side in recent years, both in terms of age and experience.

“But these four players will boost that. They’ve played a higher-level of cricket and it’s great to be able to add that level of experience.

“After some struggles in recent years we want to at least be winning as many games as we lose and we feel these signings will help to achieve that. We’ll see where it takes us but we’re delighted to have these four committed already.”

The returning Dellar is back at Haverhill after a spells with Sudbury and Halstead.

And while he may not be available every single weekend, Wilkins felt that it was an opportunity that could not be turned down.

“Adam left on good terms. He’s a well liked and well loved person at the club,” added Wilkins.

“With his work commitments it might be difficult for him to play more than half of the games, but we accept that and we’ll take it because of his quality.

“We’ll make the most of his availability and use it as best we can.”

Phillips, meanwhile, is back after a stint captaining Sawston & Babraham’s second team.

“Ant has been at Sawston a little while but he also left on really good terms,” said Wilkins. “He’s got a young family now and he only lives a couple of minutes from the ground, so it works well for him.

“He’s another quality player that will add plenty of experience to the group.

“He has also played with Nick and Marc and they’ve come across with him. They’re very good players that are looking forward to playing in a new league and taking on a fresh challenge.”

And despite bolstering his squad with four new additions, Wilkins is refusing to rule out the notion of further signings before the season opener at home against Felixstowe Corinthians on April 19.

“There’s always the potential to add,” said Wilkins. “I think these signings have made a bit of a statement in our league and the squad is already much stronger, but we wouldn’t close the door on anything.

“It would have to be the right player for us as a club but if there is an opportunity it’s something we might look at doing.”