You know summer is on the way when you hear the unmistakable sound of willow on leather cracking the afternoon tranquility.

Cricket is coming back and for Shotley Peninsula Cricket Club that means an opening game friendly against the Royal Hospital School on Tuesday, April 20, at their home ground Green Lane, Tattingtone.

Their competitive season begins with a trip to Eleven but the big one for your diary is April 27 when the Squirrels take on Nacton in the Ipswich Inter-Firm League, at 17.45.

The first Sunday afternoon game at Green Lane is scheduled to be against Milden on May 9, with a 13.00 start.

Both the England Cricket Board (ECB and the government have given the green light for amateur cricket to return social-distancing rules will be in place so no cricket teas, and regular hand-washing and sanitising protocols need to be observed.

Although the pandemic affected the club's season last year, the Squirrels still got some decent cricket in and have used the closed season to raise funds for the club.

Highways Safety Management Ltd became a new sponsor after agreeing a three-year deal, with new T20 kit for SPCC until September 2023.

Babergh councillors Jane Gould and Derek Davis have both given grants from their locality budget to support the youth and equality development at the club.

A Race Night fundraiser has also been organised for March 27More details here...