Ahead of his fourth season as 1st XI skipper and a third successive A Division campaign, we sat down with Jake Choules to preview the 2024 season.
How are you feeling about the season? What are the goals for the 1st XI this term?
The season seems to have crept up on us and with this weather, it doesn’t feel like we’re only a week or so away. I am looking forward to it as ever though and hope everybody else is too.
In terms of goals, we want to continue as a sustainable A Division team but we have finished 6th and 5th in the last 2 seasons, so it would be great to keep improving and push towards the top half this time around.
With a few departures and only the addition of Brendan Coetzee as overseas player to the squad, how confident are you of achieving that? Is there anyone we can expect to see more of in the 1st XI this season?
I don’t think the squad is too different to how we finished the end of last season so with good availability I think it will be achievable – that will be the key.
Hoping to get some more appearances out of Bobby Heard, Luke Vukusic & Sam Jefferson this year who will hopefully be around towards the start of the year. Plus it would be great to see Henry Squire and Jack Baker continue to push for 1s cricket – the latest additions from the junior conveyor belt.
Runs were hard to come by last year, with the 1st XI making full batting points just once in the 1 run win at Budleigh Salterton. What do you want to see more of from your side?
It was a difficult year for batting with some of the conditions we faced but it’s certainly an area we can improve on.
A bit more consistency (which comes with availability) would help and of course using the full 50 overs. I think last year really taught us what sort of scores we can defend so we can refine our targets a bit more this season.
Who from the squad are you tipping for a big season?
I’m always reluctant to single people out but naturally you’d look to George as last season’s player of the year winner. He’s got a great partnership with Slavs opening up – surely one of the best opening attacks in the county. I’m sure there will be plenty of chances for George to push on with the bat this season too.
Clearly we’re also hopeful that Brendan can hit the ground running as our overseas addition and from what I’ve seen I’m sure he’ll settle in well.
Where do you think the club is at overall from a cricketing point of view? Is there anything you would like to see change?
I think we’re in a great place. When you look at how many clubs are merging whilst meanwhile we are launching a 3rd XI, that can only be a positive. The womens section is also growing every year and it would be great to see a hardball team eventually.
Fingers crossed we keep going in the right direction. A lot of our success comes from the junior section so I’m sure any more willing volunteers would be welcomed by Jimmy and Ben.
Do you feel unprepared for the season as we look set to lose pre-season matches to the continuing wet weather?
If pre season is washed out then it’ll be the same as last season and all teams will be in the same boat so it isn’t a concern really. The attendance at indoor nets was really encouraging and hopefully we’ll be netting outdoors from next week.
We’ve got a tough first game at Plymouth, then two home games so if we can target a couple of wins from the first batch of games then I’d be very pleased.
A tricky draw in the Devon T20 again away against a Premier Division side. Are you looking forward to that one?
Really looking forward to visiting Exmouth again, it’s a great ground and a chance to test ourselves against a top team. Ideal for any spectators as well!
We did really well at Plympton last year, just missing out on finals day, so it would be great for the club if we could go 1 better this time. I see no reason why not!
Either way there will be plenty of opportunities for T20 cricket with the Covid Cup returning as well. We’re still looking for a sponsor to name the competition after as the Covid Cup is a bit outdated now! Get in touch with us if you can help.
Finally, coloured kit was voted down by clubs at the DCL AGM; is this something you would like to see brought in? Are there any other changes you would like to see in the Devon League?
I think it would definitely be beneficial to modernise the league and I’m a big fan of our new coloured tops. (ORDER HERE)
Overall though, it’s a good competition so I wouldn’t say it is broken and needing wholesale changes.
The Tolchards Devon Cricket League gets underway from Saturday 4th May, with the 1st XI travelling to Mount Wise to take on Plymouth.
Thorverton Cricket Club 