WE ARE on the hunt, once again, for clergy cricketers, this time for a national side.

Two years ago, we recruited from among ordinands for a team that has since played two games against a Vatican XI: once at Canterbury, and once in Rome. We are about a week away from announcing this year’s challenge, but we can assure readers that the prospect is even more exciting.

Not to give too much away, we can say that you will need to be available in the week beginning Monday 12 September, and that there will be two or more significant games during the week, at top-class grounds. We’re also lining up one or two warm-up matches during the summer.

And we are recruiting more widely, looking for strong players from among ordinands, would-be ordinands (starting in the autumn), and serving clergy.

You will need, in this order: a love of cricket, some cricketing experience — ideally at club level, and a reasonable degree of skill and fitness. This time round, we would also like some women in the team, if at all possible.

Not sure whether you are good enough? You wouldn’t be Anglicans if you were. There is only one way to find out: ask to come to our morning of trials and training at Bradfield College, near Reading, on Saturday 30 April, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..

To apply, email your details, including cricketing experience and any speciality, to anglicancricket@gmail.com. Time is short, so please apply before 27 April.

Cricket Cup. Talking of cricket, there will be plenty of opportunities to play during the next three or four months in the Church Times Cricket Cup competition. More than half the dioceses have put up sides, and we shall soon be publishing a list of fixtures and the people to contact if you fancy a game and can support your diocesan team.

Captains/secretaries: please let me have fixtures by next Friday, 15 April.

editor@churchtimes.co.uk