3 is the magic number - for the 2s!

With our continued focus on developing our pathway and ensuring Cheshire youngsters get the right development opportunities, there's been much work with our 2nd XI over the winter.

With Stewart Macleod stepping down after such sterling service, a new look leadership team will take charge of the 2s for 2025.

Under the stewardship of Head of Cricket, Pete Babbage, Nick Brooks becomes 2nd XI Manager with the familiar faces of Gavin Colebourn and Andy Dufty providing coaching support. Gavin will also continue his 1st XI coaching duties, ensuring continuity.

Nick has been involved in Cheshire cricket  for a number of years, with considerable experience of coaching and managing junior and senior teams at club and district level, as well as various club committee roles. Safeguarding Lead on ther Cheshire Cricket Board, Nick spends much of his summer watching cricket across the county.

Andy will be 2nd XI lead coach for 2025. Working as a coaching officer for the Cheshire Cricket Board since 2019 coaching Cheshire Youth Cricket representative teams, Andy is captain at Oulton Park CC and has of course proudly represented Cheshire 1^st XI for a number of seasons. He brings a wealth of direct playing experience and knowledge to his role.

Well known through his work at the Cheshire Cricket Board, Level 4 coach Gavin heads up Cheshire’s performance and pathway programmes, and is the county’s Emerging Player Head coach.  In his time with the Cheshire CB, Gavin has been influential in helping many young cricketers progress to first-class cricket and county academies. In addition to his player development responsibilities, Gavin also acts as a Coach Developer delivering ECB’s formal courses and informal CPD run through the Board.

The management team has been working hard to prepare for the season and reflect the key role of the 2^nd XI as a central part of the County Club, giving players an opportunity to test themselves against strong county opposition, provide a pathway into 1^st XI cricket and build even stronger links with the Cheshire youth cricket pathway.  They're working to build a squad of players proud to represent Cheshire, and performances in league cricket will be built into squad and team selection.  Two training sessions have been held and the skills, commitment and positivity on display have impressed the management team, and are testimony to the strength of cricket across the county. 

Cheshire CCC Chair Jim Law commented, "Stewart leaves big shoes to fill and we're extremely fortunate that Nick, Gavin and Andy have stepped up to take on this exciting challenge.

"As we all know, volunteers are at the forefront of cricket and the time, energy and enthusiasm already shown by the team has been terrific.

"The 2nd XI is the crucial element in developing our players and an exciting 2025 fixure list is being finalised to give players every opportunity to develop.

2nd XI fixtures 2025 (venues tbc)

20 May - Staffordshire

11 June - Cumbria

23 June - Worcestershire

2 July - MCC (H) Hyde

22 July - Shropshire (A)

17 August - North Wales (A)

21 August - Lancashire