Lovelace Looking Forward To Return

Woodhall Spa batsman Ricky Lovelace cannot wait for this season to get underway after facing a tough personal battle in 2014.

The 30-year-old right-hander played just a handful of matches in the ECB Premier League last year following the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of testicular cancer.

Lovelace said: “Batting is hard enough at the best of times and there was no doubt I was out of form at the beginning of last season. I think some thought I may have been running away as I couldn’t get to 10 but I also had the worry of the fact I had been to hospital and they had found a lump by chance. I had to get away from the game and focus on what was happening and more importantly spend time with my inspirational wife, little girl and family.

“Throughout the process Pilgrim Hospital have been superb as have my work Haven High Academy and the Club with the support I have been given. I now feel as fit as ever and looking forward to the season ahead.”

As ever, Lovelace, who will become a father for the second time in June, has been an ever present at winter and pre-season training and made a solid 25 in the friendly match versus Gedling Colliery CC and is both positive and philiosophical about what lays ahead on the cricket field.

He added: “After the extended break I am looking forward to playing without doubt and have been working hard at nets, hitting lots of balls. However, what I have learnt is that cricket is just a game and although I want to win as much as anyone else and score 100s and I have come to realise that after its about playing the game, enjoying my mates’ company and having a beer at the end of it.

“I have check-ups every three months and it’s all very positive so it’s been a little reminder that life is fragile and we have to all enjoy what we have.”