SPARSHOLT CC have signed Southern Premier League veterans David Banks and Richard Kenway for the forthcoming season.

Banks and Kenway, who helped BAT Sports win four SPL titles during the noughties, will resume their playing days at Locks Lane in division two.

Banks, who captained Sarisbury Athletic to promotion from division one in 2014, has scored nearly 5,000 SPL runs.

He said: “Living in north Hampshire, an 80-mile round trip to Sarisbury takes its toll.

"I knew Rich was considering playing again and he suggested we play for a central Hampshire club.

"Sparsholt is an ideal location and we both have connections at the club. It appears to be well run and has a good mix of youth and experience; it’s also an ideal ground to bring the family.”

Kenway said: “It’ll be great to play in the same side as Banksy. We go back a long way and I’m looking forward to the banter on the field.

"Hopefully we can bring some of our experience to Sparsholt.”

Sparsholt captain Andy Worth said: “The fact that Banks and Kenway want to come to Sparsholt shows the progress we have made as a club, they've been solid performers for over two decades.

"The youngsters should learn a lot from them and I have no doubt the bar takings will go up as well. I’m hoping some of their older retired teammates may even be tempted into playing again."

Also joining Sparsholt this season is 26 year-old former Colden Common opening batsman Chris Mitchell, who is looking to test himself at a higher level following several successful seasons.

Opening batsman Mitchell has been a prolific run scorer of runs at the Hampshire League County division four (north) club.

He has amassed nearly 2,500 runs in the last five years, for which he has won two SPL awards and is looking forward to the step up.

"I am really looking forward to playing SPL cricket and progressing my game as well as learning from others," he said. "I am delighted to join Sparsholt, and hope to play the best cricket that I am capable of."