8th April 2025
| Matt Thompson
Wales National County get their outdoor preparations underway this coming weekend with back to back games against Cardiff UCCE and Bristol University, as the NCCA season fast approaches with the One Day Trophy switching the traditional order with the T20 competition.
2024 was a season that can be written down as ‘had potential, but nothing to show for it’ after a promising promotion bid in the three day championship was left in tatters against Shropshire at Bridgnorth which paved the way for Herefordshire to return to the top flight of Division 1 at the first time of asking. The less said about Wales’ two white ball campaigns the better as a resounding victory against Hertfordshire in the One Day Trophy was all they had to show for their efforts. Still, a maiden national counties century for Callum Nicholls was followed up by a storming winter in New Zealand paving the way for the St Fagans starlet to secure a rookie contract with Glamorgan – a timely reminder of the supporting role Wales look to play in assisting players with their development into the professional game. It is worth noting that Wales blooded an increasing number of CAG U18 graduates in white ball cricket to provide much needed exposure of top level recreational cricket.
CAPTION: Callum Nicholls had a breakthrough year for Wales NC in 2024 and obtained a rookie contract after a strong winter in NZ. Credit: CIAC Images
There is always a lot of activity in national counties cricket during the off-season especially in the player turnover department as promising youngsters begin to emerge, senior veterans become a year older and amateur cricketers circumstances change so below is quick summary of those movements for Wales heading into the 2025 season:
Outs: After conducting a series of open trials at the start of 2024, Wales took a punt on former Wiltshire batter Oli Meadows (previously attached with Gloucestershire). It just didn’t click for the explosive left hander who appeared during the One Day Trophy last season – it is unlikely he will return for 2025. Left arm seamer and former England U19 seamer Jack Harding was on Glamorgan’s radar over the last two years and made a number of appearances for Wales in white and red ball cricket – it is not expected he will feature in 2025. Whilst continuing to play for Swansea in the SWPCL Tim Moses has moved to London and will not be available for large parts of the 2025 season and former skipper Sam Pearce’s time with Wales NC looks to be at an end after six years as captain in various formats and amassing 89 NCCA appearances across all formats. Speedster Adam Sylvester and all rounder Jude Wright are unlikely to partake this year, and reliable run getter Steff Roberts is not due back from Australia until at least the end of June.
Ins: Wales were keen to bring in players with experience of high level NCCA cricket and they’ve found that in Rhodri Lewis. The left arm spinning all rounder joins from high flyers Berkshire looking to take on a senior role within the group. Whilst former Somerset man George Thomas signed for Wales during the winter, the former England U19s all rounder was recently snapped up by Sussex on a two year contract. Whilst it is not expected he will feature for Wales, he remains registered and could make a fleeting appearance should an opportunity become available. After an impressive last few seasons for St Fagans, left arm seamer Ollie Sherwood joins the fold. The 21 year old has trained for much of the winter and could feature in white ball competitions. Glamorgan academy prospects Tom Norton and Jack Hope-Bell will feature in pre-season games to push their case for full inclusion whilst the continued growth of the Wales NC North development programme sees Jac Kennedy make a pre-season appearance; a year on from an impressive winter tour to Spain.
Ones to Watch: Keep an eye on 22 year old wrist spinner Alex Russell who was released by Northants at the end of last season. The Newport born leggie has had a stellar domestic season in Zimbabwe and will be looking to force his way back into the pro game. Romano Franco became the second youngest North Walian to ever play for Wales NC in 2024 – he will most likely feature across the first half of the summer, whilst staffers Henry Hurle and Ben Morris could continue their case for first team Glamorgan inclusion across multiple formats. There is cautious optimism Will Smale could feature regularly in white ball competitions ahead of the Vitality Blast.
CAPTION: The senior duo of Brad Wadlan and Cameron Herring will be looking to lead the way again for Wales NC this season.
Whilst results won’t be the priority over the coming weekend for Head Coach Brad Wadlan, he will no doubt be keeping a close watch on things ahead of the NCCA 50 over opener against Dorset at Lisvane on April 27th. He commented:
“With the forecast looking good over the next few days it’s great chance for players to spend some time in the middle and get some overs under their belts. We have a lot of players pushing for a limited number of spots and we want to have some difficult decisions to make.”
For a full overview of Wales NC’s fixtures visit: https://cricketwales.org.uk/news-fixtures
Follow Wales NC on ‘X’ via @WalesNCounty
Wales NC squad vs Cardiff UCCE (Saturday 12th April, 12pm start, 40 overs @ Newport):
CR Nicholls (St Fagans), WTS Smale (Usk), JI Hope-Bell (Newport), HE Hurle*+ (Cardiff), CR Davies (Ynysygerwyn), RJ Lewis (St Fagans), TO Norton (Abergavenny), Z Le Riche (unattached), RCM Franco (Northop), AK Russell (Bridgwater), BJ Morris (Abergavenny), JA Davies (Bridgend), OJ Sherwood (St Fagans).
Wales NC squad vs Bristol University (Sunday 13th April, 11.30am start, 45 overs @ Coombe Dingle):
HLR Friend (Newport), H Caldicott (Newport), J Kennedy (Northop Hall), BL Wadlan (Penzance), CR Davies (Ynysygerwyn), CL Herring*+ (Pontarddulais), MC Ayres (Bedminster), OB Rayner (Usk), AK Russell (Bridgwater), A Hameed (Swansea), WTS Moore (Carmarthen Wanderers), OJ Sherwood (St Fagans).