Andover Cricket Club are gearing up for the new season back in the Southern League Division One following their superb promotion in 2022.

The first XI, sponsored by Nord-Lock, have strengthened their ranks with a number of top-notch signings. 

The London Road outfit have recruited well during the winter and look set to welcome current Zimbabwean international wicketkeeper-batsman Richmond Mutumbami for the upcoming season.

Mutumbami will be joined by two home-grown all-round talents switching to Andover, Joshua and Oliver Williams, who have moved across after successful seasons with Sparsholt.

The 33-year-old Mutumbami, joins up with former Zimbabwean international and Andover captain, Johnny Nyumbu, and the pair will be looking to spearhead further success for the town side.

Mutumbami featured for Zimbabwe’s T20 side last year and has also played six Tests and 36 ODIs.

His career highlights include a 64 on debut against Afghanistan in ODI, alongside half-centuries against an illustrious Pakistan side and a high score of 43 in Test cricket against a South African bowling attack that included Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.

Interestingly, Nyumbu and Mutumbami featured in a number of their international matches together and they will be looking to bring this success into the ranks at Andover.

Brothers Joshua and Oliver Williams have also joined to strengthen the ranks at Andover with both being skillful all-rounders.

Joshua, the older of the pair, had his best-ever season last year scoring in excess of 400 runs, including a maiden Southern League century against high-flying Alton, and grabbing 20 wickets.

Oliver, hot on the heels of his older brother, amassed more than 500 runs including three half-centuries, along with more than 20 wickets.

Both will no doubt add to what is already a strong squad with the majority of the promotion-winning side returning for what promises to be another good season.

The only notable absentee from last year’s successful side is Sam Ashman who has been picked up by Hampshire Academy to open the batting at the Ageas Bowl.

Ashman, who plays in the same Hampshire age group as Oliver Williams, will be looking to progress his cricket even further with the county following a hugely successful stint at Andover where he cemented himself as one of the best young talents in the county.

Alongside player recruitment, it has also been a busy winter at Andover Cricket Club.

Registration for Andover’s illustrious youth cricket teams has been strong, with the chance to be coached by two international cricketers.

This follows the club’s recent successful partnerships with local primary and secondary schools, backed with the support of Hysons Accountants, which has seen an influx of new players to the game.

Over the winter Nyumbu has hosted ‘introduction to cricket sessions’ for girls and women of all abilities and the plan is to continue this into the summer.

There are also plans for school summer holiday cricket camps following a successful offering last season, a second season of disability cricket and evening coaching in the summer for ages 6-15.

The extra youth players coming through at Andover have enabled the club to restart the fourth team, which will provide even more opportunities for adults to play cricket in the town, and indeed, for future cohorts of youth players to progress into adult sides.

Additionally, plans are afoot to live stream matches from London Road every Saturday from the first week in May to September, so even those that are unable to watch the cricket live and free of charge, will be able to watch from wherever they are in the world.

Unfortunately, Andover’s ageing pavilion suffered weather damage to the roof.

The club said it immediately addressed the issue, but this has limited other areas in which the club could be investing in order to widen cricket participation among the local community.

With a wet spring, Andover’s volunteer grounds team are up against it to maintain their customary high standards, with the London Road pitch often ranked as one of the best in the county, but without doubt there will be high-quality cricket on offer every Saturday of the summer, with all welcome.

If anyone has further questions or is interested in watching or volunteering at Andover Cricket Club, email: andovercc@mail.com.