READING CC have considerably strengthened their squad as they prepare for life back in the Thames Valley League.

Having been relegated for two seasons running in the Home Counties Premier League, the Sonning Lane club are clearly determined to change their fortunes around.

Reading have still to confirm exactly who has joined them, but their list of players does include wicketkeeper Sukhi Kang, all-rounder Billy Rogers and spinner Max Uttley, who have all joined from HCPL side Finchampstead.

The trio are part of the Berkshire county set-up.

Among players who have indicated they are returning to the club are pace bowlers Ian Slatcher and Rob Cassie along with batsman Sunny Jheeta.

The TVL champions in 2012, Reading open their Division One campaign with a 50/50 game on Saturday (1pm) at Cookham Dean, who finished seventh in the table last season.

In Division 2a, Kidmore End begin their campaign at home to Marlow, who were relegated from the top flight last summer.

Wargrave were due to begin their Division 2b matches at home to Yateley this Saturday, but the Hampshire club have withdrawn their 1st XI from the league.

Hurst are at home to Royal Ascot.

Purley on Thames – whose National Village Cup game at Binfield was washed out on Sunday – start their Division 3a season at Fleet, while Sonning visit Burnham 2nds in Division 3b.

Sulhamstead’s first-ever Division 4a fixture is at Reading 2nds and Theale & Tilehurst host Bagshot 2nds.

Bradfield – who have also switched from the Berkshire League – are at home to Taplow 2nds in Division 6b.

The opening four rounds of fixtures are all played with a straight win/lose format.

  • BERKSHIRE begin their Unicorns T20 campaign against Shropshire in a double-header at Wargrave on Sunday (11am and 3pm), before playing Buckinghamshire twice at Amersham on Bank Holiday Monday (11am and 2pm).

The women welcome Cricket Wales on Sunday and Devon on Monday.

Both games will be played at North Maidenhead (11am).