By Andrew Wise

Painswick Cricket Club have made two significant signings as the new season approaches.

Simon Taylor, 18, is a right-arm leg-spin bowler who has joined the Broadham Fields outfit from his native Zambia. Simon learned his trade at St Andrew's College in South Africa and has been chosen for trials with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

He said: "I am really happy to be joining Painswick and looking forward to what hopefully will be a very successful season."

The second signing is Jack Hobbis, 23, who has joined from Birmingham League outfit West Bromwich Dartmouth. Jack is a left-arm spin bowler and hard-hitting batsman. He is a PE teacher and moved to the area to take up a position at Peak Academy.

Jack said: "I'm 23 and feel it is time to get stuck in, spin a web, have fun and get promoted!"

A club spokesman said: “Simon and Jack are quality additions to our squad we hope their arrival will be the springboard to success in 2017.”

News of the squad additions come after the club’s new committee have worked hard in the off season to improve the facilities and foundations of the club.

Painswick’s new website has launched (www.painswickcc.co.uk), new net facilities have arrived at Broadham for the 2017 campaign and the club has announced a host of new sponsors.

Painswick runs four senior sides in Saturday league cricket, a Sunday league team and three junior sides (under 15s, 13s and 11s). Junior training runs at Broadham on Fridays from 5.30pm.

The first team will play its first friendly at Dymock on April 22 with league action getting underway on May 8.

The club’s first social event of the season – an evening of Frog Racing – will be held on April 21 at 7pm. All are very welcome to attend.