Match Preview: Ickleford CC 3rd XI vs Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI

Saturday 6th September 2025 – The John Rand Rec, Hitchin – 1:00pm Start
HPCL Division 12 East – Final Game of the Season

As the summer of 2025 draws to a close, the curtain comes down on Hoddesdon Cricket Club’s HPCL 3rd XI campaign this Saturday with a short trip up the A10 to Hitchin, where they face Ickleford CC 3rd XI at The John Rand Rec. It promises to be a fitting finale: two proud clubs, both fielding sides stacked with emerging talent and experienced heads, playing their last Division 12 East fixture of the year. For Hoddesdon, it’s not just another match — it’s the chance to end their league season on a high, to showcase the depth of quality that captain Scott Higgins has assembled, and to put a marker down for 2026.

Form Guide – contrasting finishes to the season

Looking at the form guides, the two sides arrive at this fixture with very different recent records.

Ickleford CC 3rd XI come into the match on the back of two straight wins, finding their stride at just the right time after a run of losses and a cancellation earlier in the summer. That late surge has lifted spirits in their camp, with players in form both with bat and ball.

Hoddesdon CC 3rd XI, meanwhile, have endured a mixed final stretch: their last five show a frustrating sequence of L W L C L, an inconsistent patch that has kept them from stringing momentum together. But with no HEBL 3rd XI fixture this weekend, captain Higgins has been spoilt for choice, able to pull together one of the strongest Hoddesdon 3rd XI line-ups of the season.

The stakes may not involve promotion or relegation battles, but pride, bragging rights, and the chance to finish strongly are more than enough to fire up both camps.

Ickleford’s Squad – the danger men

The hosts’ statistics shine a clear light on where their strengths lie:

• David Baker has been a star with both bat and ball. He’s the top run scorer with 181 runs and also boasts the best bowling figures of 4/8. Few at this level are capable of influencing a game in both departments so decisively. Hoddesdon will need to keep him quiet if they want to control proceedings.
• Cruz Serradinho (3rd XI) has the highest individual score of the season, an unbeaten 75*. Capable of anchoring an innings and accelerating when set, he’s a key wicket for Hoddesdon’s bowlers.
• Hilal Khan brings firepower with the bat, striking at 107.14, the highest strike rate for Ickleford. If he gets in during the final overs, he could tilt the match quickly.
• With the ball, James Kench has 13 wickets to his name, making him Ickleford’s top wicket-taker.
• Zabihullah Stanikzai adds further control, boasting a miserly 1.25 economy rate — a bowler who squeezes the opposition into mistakes.

Collectively, these players make Ickleford a dangerous outfit, capable of explosive batting and disciplined bowling.

The venue – The John Rand Rec

Nestled in Hitchin, The John Rand Recreation Ground is the stage for this final clash. Traditionally, it’s a ground that offers something for both bat and ball: batsmen value the true surface and shortish boundaries, while bowlers, especially those hitting a disciplined line, can exploit movement and pressure. For Hoddesdon’s side, with its balance of young talent and senior experience, it’s a fitting place to close the season — a venue where players can leave a lasting impression.

Hoddesdon 3rd XI – a side brimming with quality

With the HEBL 3rd XI not in action, captain Scott Higgins has had the rare luxury of drawing from a full pool of players. The result? A line-up stacked with match-winners, youthful promise, and experienced campaigners who all bring something unique to the team.

Let’s take a closer look at the eleven players pulling on the green this weekend:

1. Scott Higgins (C)

The skipper leads from the front with his trademark energy and commitment. A young genius with the ball and a smart tactical brain in the field, Higgins has earned a reputation for bringing his teammates together and getting the best out of them. His leadership on Saturday will be vital in managing Ickleford’s threats. He is also the teams most potent bowler with 13 wickets for the season and a superb economy of just 2.7.

2. Freddie Hawkins

One of Hoddesdon’s bright young talents, Hawkins continues to impress every time he’s given responsibility. He’s technically sound, full of enthusiasm, and has shown he can rise to the challenge in higher-level fixtures. This final match of the season gives him another chance to showcase his growing confidence.

3. Dharshana Keerthichandra

A stylish batsman capable of elegant strokeplay, Keerthichandra offers the ability to build an innings and accelerate when needed. His calm presence at the crease can steady Hoddesdon if early wickets fall, making him a key figure in the top order.

4. George Kimberley (WK)

Behind the stumps, Kimberley brings reliability and sharp reflexes. With Ickleford boasting hard hitters like Hilal Khan, his glove work could make the difference. Add to that his ability to contribute valuable runs, and Kimberley is a crucial cog in this side.

5. Mark Feely

A seasoned performer, Feely provides balance with his all-round ability. He can step up with the bat in the middle order, steadying things or pushing on, and his voice in the dressing room will be essential. Experience counts for plenty in season finales, and Feely offers exactly that.

6. Ross Maughan

An experienced campaigner who has captained the HEBL 3rd XI regularly this season, Maughan knows what it takes to manage a game. He’s a dependable batsman, capable of gritty innings when the side needs resilience, and his presence adds leadership depth alongside Higgins. Also can be relied upon to hold up an end when needed and has a knack for taking wickets at key times.

7. Nikunj Pradhan

A reliable option in the middle order and a handy player, Pradhan’s adaptability makes him a valuable asset. He has the temperament to graft for runs and the nous to chip in with match winning moments.

8. Louis Webb

Everyone's 6th favourite Webb, Louis is one of the heartbeat players of Hoddesdon’s setup. Fearless with bat in hand and sharp in the field, he brings energy and positivity wherever he goes. He has shown he can step into leadership roles too, underlining his maturity for his age. Not camping with his dad this weekend, so that's also handy.

9. Nirosh Perera

A cricketer with plenty of skill, Perera adds depth to Hoddesdon’s bowling and another option for the skipper. His ability to take wickets will be crucial in the engine room on Saturday.

10. Jack Bailey

Bailey has impressed with both bat and ball this season, and his inclusion strengthens Hoddesdon’s depth. Capable of striking the ball cleanly in the lower order and delivering disciplined overs, he’s the kind of player who can swing momentum late in the day. Has taken key wickets of late and is slowly becoming one of the most improved players at the club.

11. Austin Bean

Completing the XI, Bean is another who offers all-round value. His bowling brings balance to the attack, and he’s shown flashes of promise with the bat too. Bean represents the depth and potential that Higgins has at his disposal. Austin's performances in the HEBL 3rd XI this season have made him a Player of the Year candidate and he has developed into one of the best young bowlers at the club in 2025.

The bigger picture – ending on a high

For Hoddesdon, this match is about ending the season with momentum, showing the depth of their club structure, and giving supporters one last reason to cheer in 2025. The presence of multiple leaders within the XI, the blend of youth and experience, and the sheer depth of cricketing talent available this week all make this one of the most exciting Hoddesdon 3rd XI selections of the summer.

Ickleford, buoyed by their recent wins and boasting match-winners everywhere, will be equally determined to finish their season with a flourish. Neutral observers could not have wished for a better way to wrap up Division 12 East than this: a clash of two sides both brimming with potential and eager to sign off in style.

Prediction

With so much talent on show, Saturday’s contest at The John Rand Rec could be a close-run affair. If Hoddesdon’s batting order fires and their bowlers can keep Ickleford’s danger men quiet, they have every chance of leaving Hitchin with a final victory. But Ickleford, in form and full of confidence, won’t make it easy. Either way, expect drama, runs, wickets, and plenty of pride on the line.

It’s the last dance of 2025 for both clubs — and it promises to be a cracker.

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