Brymbo & Ynystawe added to grounds as Wales open up at Berkshire

7th November 2022 | Matt Thompson

Wales will open up their competitive season away at Berkshire in the NCCA T20 competition on 16th April as details of the 2023 fixture schedule have been released. 

Buckinghamshire will be the visitors to Lisvane on 30th April for the first competitive home game of the season, before Wales head to Bedfordshire that same night for a bank holiday Monday clash. Current T20 holders Oxfordshire will then head to Pontarddulais (7th May) who return to the Wales NC grounds list after a two year absence, to complete the final round of group stage games. 

CAPTION: Recent rookie contract recipient Ben Morris bowling against Staffordshire i(who head to Port Talbot in the 50 over trophy) in 2022

2022 was as close as Wales have ever come to reaching their first ever finals day, missing out with a low scoring affair against the eventual champions in the first game of the day at Wormsley back in May. With only one team qualifying from the group of five, confirming attendance in the final four is a tough ask and will remain the case for Darren Thomas' men in 2023. 

It is the 50 over One Day Trophy where Wales have had a significant improvement in performance over the last few seasons, reaching the semi final in 2021, and the quarter final in 2022 losing out to current holders (again!) in both years - Berkshire. Despite two losses in the group stage last year, Wales managed to sneak out of their group but will be looking to avenge one of those defeats as they host Staffordshire at Port Talbot to kick off the campaign. Away trips to Wiltshire and Dorset are sandwiched either side of Dorset's visit to Panteg who have been awarded their second game in as many years after an excellent three days in the NCCA Championship in 2022. 

Abergavenny remains a permanent and favourite fixture in the calendar and will host Cornwall in the third round of games in the 3 day championship. Wales, and new red ball coach Brad Wadlan will be hoping that their promotion push has gathered sufficient enough momentum by that point, starting with the hosting of Shropshire who make the short trip across to Brymbo in early July. It will be a national counties debut for the North Walian club who have hosted Wales NC North games during 2022, and ensure the side's commitment to playing in as many parts of the country as possible. 

CAPTION: Brymbo will host Wales NC v Shropshire to kick off the three day championship in July. 

To that end, conversations are being held in the West of the country to potentially host the 2023 edition of the NCCA Showcase Game. The last two years have seen Wales face off against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens (the current scoreline being 1-1) but with Glamorgan not yet confirmed as opponents further details are expected in the coming weeks. 

Members and supporters will have three opportunities to watch the side in pre-season action, as the team take on their Wales NC North counterparts on Sunday 2nd April at Ynystawe who also make their debut for hosting national counties standard cricket. The South Wales club,  who embark on a debut season the South Wales Premier League in 2023, will also play host to a SWPCL XI taking on the National County side the following week on Easter Saturday (Saturday 8th April). Such a fixture has been few and afar between over the years, but represents the strong relationship between the Premier League and the senior national counties team. Wales round off pre-season festivities the following day (Easter Sunday) against Herefordshire with the ground yet to be confirmed. 

CAPTION: Newly promoted Ynystawe will host two pre-season games for Wales in 2023. They have consistently finished with some of the highest pitch markings over recent seasons. 

A full fixture list can be found below and more regular updates can be found via @WalesNCounty on Twitter. 

To enquire about 2023 membership (just £20) please email [email protected]

WALES NC FIXTURE LIST 2023