The 2025 season started with high expectations of 4s getting promoted. New captain with new players following a good recruitment, the existing players and some very good young players coming through the Finchley Junior section. Lots of planning took place during winter months before season started. We had some pre league fixtures friendlies arranged.

We had three games pencilled in, but the weather sadly took care of one of them. So, we only had two preseason games to prepare for first game against Hampstead. Our last preseason game against Totteridge Millhillians we chased down 205 to win comfortably, which confirmed that we are very good at chasing totals as we have a very strong batting line up and aggressive bowling in which we can contain teams. Our ethos has always been to arrive early to a game, do stretching exercises and some fielding drills as a team and batting and bowling drills.

We strongly encouraged as a team during the game and with cakes and other homemade food brought along this helped keep our strength up. Good availability for most of the season helped enormously. We took great pride on our fielding to support our bowlers, to have run out opportunities and catches taken when presented to make us the best fielding team in our league.

We played total 18 games - Won 13, Lost 2, 2 rained off and 1 draw

Top 3 batters were – Total runs

Jaypal Vala 646
Sanchit Singh 547
Jon Mather 428

Top 3 bowlers - Wickets

Jaypal 33
Bilal Asakzai 26
Aryaveer Vaish 16

Our standout young player was Aryaveer who only played 5 games but every game he played he was a game changer.

Every young player who played was well supported by our senior players and I know that every young player learnt valuable experience and knowledge during the games they played and enjoyed the opportunity.

We finished our last game with quiz evening at the club & some delicious Sri Lankan cuisine. It was so good to see so many players and families come along to help celebrate a very enjoyable and successful season for Finchley Cricket Club.

Finally, a huge thanks to all the players who have supported me during my first term as captain.

Thanks, and regards

Jon