Connells CC completed their major facelift following the sale of star player Richard Binnion and the team's subsequent freefall. Major investment has been made with the club spending some £600,000 in recent weeks, and making a series of the club's underachieving players available for transfer. So far Vince Carter, the young bowler who has been squeezed out by the astonishing form of Antoine et al, has been sold for £50,000 and Connells' management team wish him well at his new club.

As for the new players, Eric Beattie is an 18-year old batsman with a very promising future, in the same vein as recent signing Rob Cooper. Set to be a snip at £150,000.

Rajesh Rideegammanagedera, the Sri Lankan, arrives with the longest name and the highest transfer fee at 11 syllables and £355,000 respectively. At 19 he is an outstanding talent and looks set to challenge for an opening spot straight away in a much-strengthened batting lineup.

There is much excitement among the Connells membership at this time, and all attention is focused on Friday's upcoming game against Dave Mohammed XI.