Matthew Siddall jets off to Spain at the weekend to represent an England X1 at the Dream 11 European Cricket Championship.
The 25-year-old Cumbria left-arm spinner still has to decide on where he will be playing his cricket next season after already saying his goodbyes at Cockermouth.
Blackpool-based Siddall has been a popular and successful member of the Cockermouth squad for the last two seasons taking 86 wickets at an average of 9.2.
Talking to Cumbria Crack, Siddall said he was looking to enjoy the tournament, have a relaxing holiday and then decide on where he will be playing next season.
“There have been rumours that I am going to join Fleetwood but the truth is I’ve had a few offers from clubs and I haven’t reached a decision yet.
“I will also be spending time in winter nets with Derbyshire and there might be positive news from there. I played twice for their Seconds last season and in the second fixture against a strong Durham side I had a five-for in their first innings.”
Siddall revealed that it was purely the travelling that ended his two-year association with the Cockermouth club.
“If I lived an hour away I would still be there but the amount of travelling has really started to take its toll.
“I will never forget my time at Sandair because I have made friends for life and created memories that will last a lifetime.
“The club have been absolutely fantastic in welcoming myself, my partner and parents to the club.
“I have met some terrific people, men like Gareth White who is simply a club legend and has made me so much at home.
“I think the playing highlight has to be winning the Higson Cup, and if there is a disappointment it’s that we have under-achieved in the two years.
“We were unlucky to lose the title last year when we had a rain-off that counted against us when Carlisle played and won. This season a couple of really disappointing defeats cost us.”
Siddall has become a Cumbria regular, with record-breaking contributions in 2022.
In Spain he will be linking-up with Freddie Fallows of Kendal, his fellow Cumbria representative, with the rest of the England squad mainly from the southern counties.
Berkshire captain Dan Lincoln will again lead the National Counties XI when they represent England at the European Championship which they won two years ago.
He was again in charge when they were runners-up to Netherlands last year.
National Counties will head back to the Cartama Oval near Malaga for four matches in Group E starting with Switzerland and Malta on October 9 and Cyprus and Romania on October 10.
There will be 30 other countries competing in the 10 overs-a-side tournament with only Netherlands, as defending champions, guaranteed a place in Champions Week which starts on October 16 and culminates in the final on October 20.
Netherlands will be joined by the six group winners in Champions Week.
“I just hope we can make it through to Champions Week. I’m looking forward to it,” says Siddall, known affectionately as the Poulton Prince at the Cockermouth club.
