Barnsley welcome Warmsworth CC to Shaw Lane today as skipper Andrew Clayton goes against his old apprentice, Nathan Swift for the first time. Nathan took over from Andrew after his first spell as captain before leaving to play Premier Division cricket. This Division One clash will also see Thomas Whittaker and Jake Marshall take the field against their former club. Thomas had two spells at Shaw Lane, his first spell was predominantly as a seam bowler, before establishing himself as a top order batsman in his second stint.

Andrew leads another young side out this season, as he’s retained most of his side from the 2024 campaign. William Chapman, 19, will be his vice captain and go to man. He’ll lead the attack at the top of the innings and was the sides leading run scorer from last year. The left handed batter likes to get on with the game and strikes the ball well. He’s joined at the top of the order by two other left
hand batsman in the form of Alfie Gosney and his cousin Freddie Chapman. Both of those will hope to increase their run tally of 2024 as they progress and develop.

Lucas Slatter will make it at least four teenagers at the top of the order and he’ll hope to add the dimension of bowling to his armoury sooner rather than later as he recovers from injury.

Callum Bailey is one of three seam options for the shaw laners and also offers a hard hitting role in the middle of the order. Callum is now 25 and last year broke out of the shackles of the third team to provide match winning performances at not just second team level but actually shone in his first team appearances too.

Keanan Pretorius is the clubs second team overseas option for 2025. Another left arm seamer, the 19 year old South African is welcomed to the club and hoping to provide wickets and runs to propel the side up the league.

Another seam option will be Usman Khan, who has recovered from injury this season and will be chomping at the bit to get back to the first team.

The club welcomes Rehan Khan to the fold. The exciting leg spinner is part of the Derbyshire CCC Academy and will look to progress his career after his move from Whitley Hall CC.

Matthew Clayton will don the gloves for another season and given the chance by brother Andrew, he can be more than a useful batter.

Off spinner Max Hesletine is the seventh teenager in the side for Saturday with all seven having aspirations of playing premier league cricket. That’s great news for the club and can only strengthen the desire to get back into the Championship at the first time of asking.