SHBCC News Update – December 2025 – January 2026
There was a good festive air around the club on the Friday before Christmas when ground staff and other backroom volunteers met for mince pies and something warm. We can’t do without them and can always use more help either at the Castle Ground and/or at the Bridge.
With the news that Mark Wood was injured, our own Matty Fisher was called into the Ashes Test squad in Australia. Unfortunately, he wasn’t included for either of the last two tests but is clearly back on the International radar. Wills Bennison had a low key tour with England u19s in the West Indies but has been included in the squad to compete in the U19 world cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia with the first game against Pakistan.
A few juniors had a good Christmas in being selected for North Yorkshire at various age groups. Nick Armitage, Fraser Small and Albert Lumb were selected for the 10-12 Regional squad while Otto Bowles, Zac Powell, Harry Goodwill and Riley Hirst are in the 13-15 group. They will all go through winter training until the beginning of the season.
Outside of Sheriff Hutton the ECB continue in their pursuit of “Inclusiveness” in the game with women’s/girls cricket growing at a fast pace. There was an African Caribbean Festival at Lords welcoming over 300 people and a month long celebration of East Asian Heritage at Old Trafford. The recreational game continues to expand at a pace in double digit % growth.
The ECB would love to profile anything big or small that clubs are doing to embody cricket’s values. You can access the lengthy document “Raising the game bulletin” at info@ecb-comms.co.uk
SHB Junior training started at Easingwold Galtres Centre on January 9th (7.15pm Fridays) with Senior nets at St Peters on Sunday 25th January 2026 at 6.30pm. The juniors were overwhelmed with players at the first session which bodes well for the season. All the junior sides are looking strong with the 13s and15s in particular with lots of senior cricket experience. Hopefully neither the Seniors or Juniors will make England’s mistake and go into the season “undercooked”.
At this stage of the year the ground at The Bridge is looking in good shape but with the amount of rain that we have had it’s a bit early to get much done at the Castle. When we get a bit of drier weather the Castle Ground will be in the great shape as it was last season.