Summer is on its way, I am told, so it’s time to get the 2018 cricket season going.

The young players have practiced hard throughout the dark winter.

Some senior players, however, have not been seen at all at indoor nets, convinced that their natural abilities will suffice - we shall see.

Kit bags have been retrieved from attics, the backs of garages and even the boots of cars.

Some players may think to themselves: ’Ah, perhaps I should have washed those cricket pants back in August. Still, they will do for a couple of weeks more.’

The Blincoe Cup kicks off the new campain.

The competition has been traditionally the cup for the island’s second teams and it’s, perhaps, the most competitive format. The recent open registration, however, has sometimes given a different hue to the competition.

These early fixtures may give some clues as to how the makeup of teams will stand when the Saturday league kicks off in May.

Castletown entertain St John’s who have a strong second team and they may prove too strong for a Town team who are adjusting to the loss of some big players.

Finch Hill visit Ramsey. The teams are expected to be two young sides, but they have put a lot of work into their pre-season training and both should be able to give a good account of themselves.

Cronkbourne visit Union Mills. On their day, Mills can beat anyone, especially in this competition, but I do expect Cronkbourne to go through to the next round this time.

My tie of the round is Valkyres versus Crosby at the former’s home ground of Tromode.

Both teams are keen to get going and this game will indicate how well Valkyres will fare when the team returns to weekend league cricket in a few weeks’ time.

Crosby have been away on a pre-season tour, I believe, and perhaps the ’warm weather’ training may have assisted their preparation.

Both sides could put in a winning performance and it should be an exciting contest.

l Next weekend sees the return of the Tinker Cup, the 2018 version, while the various mid-week Twenty20 leagues begin over the course of the next week.

l Castle Rushen will face Ballakermeen in the final of the the Senior School Shield, today (Thursday) at Tromode.

CRHS won by their semi-final with QEII by four runs. CRHS batted first scoring 79-8 off 15 overs. QEII, chasing 79 to win, ended with 74-6.

In the other semi, Balla won by eight wickets after bowling St Ninian’s out for 85. Ballakermeen reached their total for the loss of only two wickets.

Andy Coulson