CRICKETER Darrel Williams is planning to make his mark when he returns to play for Moreton-in-Marsh this summer, writes Sam Bennett.

Williams, 21, will play for his local team in their weekend matches when he returns home from his studies at Durham University in early June.

He is feeling fresh after making his second first-class appearance earlier in the year.

He represented Durham MCCU as they took on Essex in the Marylebone Cricket Club University matches last month.

Williams scored 32 runs and taking two wickets in a promising showing.

Williams said: “It was a great experience playing against some current and former internationals.

“It was tough obviously because it was a step up in standard from anything else I’ve done.

“But it was a good taster of what I need to do if I want to make it to the next level and become a cricketer on a full-time level.”

Williams also played in a fixture against first-class side Durham.

“It was a shame when we played Essex because former England captain Alastair Cook was injured so he didn’t play,.

“But Cook was at the game and you could really feel his influence and learn a lot from what he said.”

“After the third day we got to have a chat with the Essex lads, which was great as a few of them like Ravi Bopara and Tom Westley commented on how I played and they gave me some tips.”

Williams will be among two players with first-class experience featuring for Moreton this summer.

Team-mate Oliver Currill is on the books of Gloucestershire and has featured for the county’s second team on a handful of occasions this term.

He had a taste of first-team action, finishing with 0-83 for Gloucestershire against Durham CCCU at the end of March.

Williams said: “Playing at Moreton is very different to a lot of other cricket I play.

“Everyone tends to have a bat and a bowl.

“Win or lose the teams will stay at the bar after the game and socialise with the opposition. All the lads are welcoming.”

Moreton sealed a 65-run home win against The Lenches in Division Two of the Cotswold Hills League last Saturday.

Moreton posted a respectable 211-5 and then dismissed the visitors for 146.