BRAINTREE Cricket Club are getting their preparations into full flow for the start of the 2017 Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season.

Having enjoyed a tremendous year in their first campaign back in the top flight of the Two Counties Championship, Braintree are looking to make sure they are primed for the start of this season in April.

They are beginning a ten-week run of net sessions at Gosfield School on Monday from 8.15pm to 9.45pm and Will Jackson, who captained the first-team last year, said they would welcome new players.

Anyone wanting to attend can contact Jackson on 07788 389988.

He said the opening session would be focusing on fitness and fielding drills and younger players from age 16 upwards are also welcome to go along.

There could be exciting opportunities for younger players at Braintree this year, as, as well as having their first and second teams in the Two Counties Championship, there will be a Sunday side in the North Essex Cricket League in 2017.

Jackson said: "It's an opportunity for us to have a team playing playing competitive cricket where youngsters can experience that with relegation and promotion issues at stake.

"We want that for the development of our younger players and there is also a T20 competition in the North Essex League that we are excited to be involved in."