SUKHI Kang, one of the best wicketkeepers in Berkshire, is set to rejoin Reading Cricket Club.

And if he does sign, other players, new and old, could follow him to Sonning Lane.

Kang left Reading for Finchampstead two years ago and his return would be a major boost for the club who, following two successive relegations, now find themselves in Division One of the Thames Valley League.

Just a few weeks ago there were concerns over how strong the Reading 1st XI would be, but that could now change with the club benefitting from what appears to have been ‘internal issues’ at Finchampstead.

The 2016 Home Counties Premier League champions have seen several of their first-team stars leave, including skipper Dan Marles, while others have gone to university, moved out of the area or joined other clubs.

Finchampstead, now captained by former Reading FC goalkeeper Dan Lincoln, still looked as if they had a reasonable squad, so they won’t be happy to see further players leave with the start of the league season less than two weeks away.

But spinner Max Uttley has already been listed as a Reading player, and Berkshire county batsman Billy Rogers could follow him.

The fact they are prepared to drop two divisions to play for Reading has raised a lot of eyebrows in local cricket circles, particularly as the club have made it clear they do not pay players.

If Kang definitely signs, a number of former members could also be tempted back.

  • RIVERMOOR Stadium – the home of Hellenic League duo Highmoor Ibis and Woodley United – is looking much smarter these days with the pitch problems having been sorted out and new furniture arriving for the clubhouse this week.

So it’s sad to see both clubs finish the season in the Premier Division relegation zone and, unless they get a reprieve, which appears unlikely, it leaves Reading without a Step 5 club in the non-league pyramid.

Sadly, vandals got into the Scours Lane ground last weekend and it is believed they were responsible for ripping out electrical cables which put a complete set of floodlights out of action.