Batsman Tom Kelly will make his Premier One debut in the West of England Premier League for Dumbleton tomorrow.

The Australian overseas player landed at Heathrow at 6am on Tuesday – he played in a T20 game that evening – and will be hoping to secure  Dumbleton's first league win of the campaign after three very near misses.

They travel to second-placed Midsomer Norton and club captain Ross Martin said: “It’s great to have him back. He’s very talented and he’ll bring  a bit of experience.”

The 25-year-old made a big impression when he played for the club in Prem 2 Glos/Wilts in 2024 and Martin continued: “It’s great to have him around both on and off the pitch.

“When he arrived at Dumbleton on Tuesday he was out straight away watering and rolling the pitch at our second ground. When he was last here he was pulling stones out of the ground!”

The new ground was officially opened on Monday and is located within the grounds of Dumbleton Hall, immediately adjacent to the main ground and clubhouse.

That is one of the many good news stories at Dumbleton Cricket Club and the experienced Martin, a new-ball bowler, is certainly not disheartened by their start to life in the top tier following last season’s promotion.

“We’ve lost twice by one wicket from the final ball of the game,” he said. “We were also in pole position when the game at Bridgwater was abandoned.”

The one-wicket defeats were to early-season pace-setters Burbage & Easton Royal and Bristol – they scored 342-5  against Bristol – and Martin insisted: “We’re playing good cricket.

“We’re still adjusting to the new division but we’re very positive. We’ve got a strong enough squad and we’re competing.”

Dumbleton lost by four wickets to Frocester last time out and Martin added: “There is a slight step up.

“At this level there are no poor players and no poor teams. Even when teams are nine down they still have players who can win a game.”

Dumbleton have plenty of match-winners of their own, of course, and Martin is delighted to see some of the younger players kicking on.

“Young Lewis Rollinson got 90-odd against Bristol,” he said. “He’s only 18, he's really stepped up. He’s a good player. Dan Holland too.

"Ewan Gegg has joined us from Stroud and he’s hit the ground running. He’s a leftie and offers something different, he’s already got runs.

“Arthur Hanson, who has joined us from Bourton, is another new player who is doing well.”

Kelly, meanwhile, helped Dumbleton to an 11-run win over leaders Bourton Vale in the Cheltenham Premier T20 on Tuesday.

He contributed five to Dumbleton’s 174-9 but his four overs for 22 runs played a big part in restricting last season’s champions to 163-4 in reply.

Kelly, a South Australian, will be available for Dumbleton for the remainder of the season.