VSDCA 2024-25: First-class English batter Rishi Patel headlines Bayswater recruiting haul

A first-class English cricketer is set to open the batting for Subbies outfit Bayswater this season – but he’s not the only key inclusion.

VSDCA 2024-25: Rishi Patel has hit five centuries at first-class English level and will open the batting for Bayswater this season. Picture: BBC

Almost 12 months ago its bowling attack received an almighty boost – and now, Bayswater’s batting order is set for a lift of gigantic proportions.

First-class English cricketer Rishi Patel has signed at the Subbies outfit, with the opening batter to cross from Leicestershire County Cricket Club for the summer.

The 26-year-old has played 44 first-class matches, plundering five centuries – and this season he’s put away 665 runs alongside more than 400 in the T20 Blast.

He also kits up for Birmingham Phoenix in the newly-founded ‘The Hundred’ competition.

Bayswater captain-coach Jason Kilby said the star opener was secured with help from Glenn Coyle at recruiting agency Cricket Exchange.

Firepower in the batting line-up was on the Waters’ radar, with Patel arriving at the recommendation of Kilby’s former Ringwood teammate and current Leicestershire cricketer, Ian Holland.

“We were probably a bit more particular (in recruiting) than what we had been in the last couple of years,” Kilby said.

“I had a fair idea who he (Patel) was, because I stay up to date on how ‘Dutchy’ (Ian Holland) is going in England. I had a chat with ‘Dutchy’ and he put a good word in both ways.

“‘Dutchy’ spoke about how good a bloke (Patel) is off the field as much as well as what a good player he is on the field, which was something that resonated with our club.

“He ticked all the boxes.”

Patel’s inclusion follows the arrival of former Premier quick Michael Topp last November.

“It’d be fair to say with him (Patel) with the bat and Michael Topp with the ball, we’ve got probably two of the big top-end players in our competition,” Kilby said.

Kilby said Patel will miss Round 1 with the County campaign finishing, but his influence on the Waters’ emerging talent this season would be invaluable.

“For the young players at our club, and our whole list, to be able to spend the summer with a player of Rishi’s experience and talent, it’s going to be huge for our club to be able to learn off a player like him,” he said.

But Patel isn’t the only overseas inclusion.

Opening bowler Freddie Williams has arrived from UK-based Dorset Premier League outfit Wimborne, where he has an 8-38 to his name.

And there’s been some local talent signed, with former Premier batter Aaron Daniel linking with the club after stints at Richmond and Casey South Melbourne. He last played at Ferntree Gully District power, Lysterfield.

“To have that experienced batter to bat in the middle and the back half of the day, he’ll be a really good addition as well,” Kilby said.

“He’s put in a mountain of work.”

Experience has also been added in the lower grades.

Bayswater has retained most of its First XI players, with the exception of Brodie Richardson who has linked with Premier club Fitzroy Doncaster and all-rounder Tom Cheater who has returned to England.

The Waters finished 13th last season with five wins in the South-East group, and will take on the North-East competition this summer.

“As a club we’re really excited – we’ve had a massive culture shift over the past couple of years and feel like we’re in a really good position,” Kilby said.

“We’ve got a really good core group of guys in a good age bracket.”