Upminster captain Wheater wants to get up and running

New Upminster captain Adam Wheater is hoping to make up for lost time as they host local rivals Gidea Park & Romford in Hamro Foundation Essex League Division One on Saturday.

After seeing their opening fixture against Epping abandoned after just three overs, then a derby at Harold Wood washed out, Upminster slipped to defeat at Billericay last weekend, when former Essex staffer Wheater was unavailable.

They also lost at Dartford in the Conference Cup on Sunday, but Wheater has new Australian overseas signing Beau Webster available, after the 29-year-old jetted in from Tasmania this week.

And he wants to hit the ground running, saying: “It’s not been a great start to the season, so it’s hard to get going. 

“Hopefully the weather has picked up now and we can start getting a few games in.

“It was a tough weekend, leaving it a bit late on Saturday and they losing in the cup as well. But we’ve just got to look at the next one. 

“We’ve got full selection, our overseas has just arrived and by all accounts is a decent bloke.

“Overseas are usually quite good cricket-wise, but it’s a case of will they get stuck in and be a part of the club for four or five months, which is more important.”

Billericay posted 284-4 after choosing to bat, with captain Matthew Bell (77 not out) and Rowan Elliott (73) sharing 133 for the third wicket.

Upminster reached 139-2 in reply, as stand-in skipper Kiran Kullar made 51, only to come up short on 245-7 and they went down by two wickets at Dartford a day later, after Muhammad Ahmed (59) and Nehal Butt (53 not out) had top scored in their 190-7.

But 33-year-old Wheater, after a long county career, has a clear aim for the campaign.

“I want them to put in 100 per cent and enjoy themselves,” he added.

“Everyone commits a lot to play club cricket all day every Saturday, so you’ve got to enjoy it. More often than not the performances will then take care of themselves.

“I always wanted to play in Essex when I finished and there’s a lot of good people at the club and it’s run really well.

“I’ve helped with coaching the colts for three or four years now with Scott Simmons, who does a brilliant job, and it was a bit of a no-brainer really.

“I’m pleased to be here. I want to put in the performances now, get the ball rolling and get on a winning streak.”

*Gidea Park & Romford lost to Belhus by 25 runs, after Jack Plom’s unbeaten 54 off 47 balls saw the visitors post 225-6.

Mahmad Alikail (52) top scored for Park in reply, as Gus Philpot (5-37) took bowling honours for Belhus.

Harold Wood beat Old Brentwoods by five wickets after dismissing them for 106, with captain Craig Perrin (37) leading the way.

But Shenfield slumped to a remarkable defeat at Epping, after the hosts made 132.

Abdulrahim Mulla ran through their line-up to finish with stunning figures of 8.4-5-8-8, as Imrul Kayes (8-3-5-2) helped dismiss Shenfield for just 17.