Sawston & Babraham captain Dan Heath pinpoints togetherness within the squad as leading factor in East Anglian Premier League title defence

Captain Dan Heath believes a team-first mentality was the dominating factor in Sawston & Babraham’s successful Read Brothers Ltd East Anglian Premier League title defence.

The Rams were confirmed as champions for the second season in a row on Saturday afternoon after they defeated nearest rivals Mildenhall by 17 runs.

And Heath, who is into his fourth year as skipper, has hailed the sacrifices made by all of the players to help the team get over the line.

“Everyone understands their role in the team and they understand it’s a fluid situation,” said Heath. “Our batting and bowling line-ups change pretty much every week but I’m really proud of the lads for the way they’ve accepted it.

“We’ve got a lot of players that could have more prominent roles in other teams in the league. They could bat in the top order elsewhere or open the bowling every week but they are willing to make those sacrifices and put the team first.

“Nobody holds a grudge, they all buy into the collective and everyone has chipped in.

“We’re also a great group of mates and that helps during the tough spells in matches because everyone is determined to pull the team through.”

Heath is now planning on taking a break for the next few weeks, but in the not too distant future discussions will get under way with regards to next year’s squad as the club plots the best route to making it three in a row.

Some squad alterations are inevitable, yet the captain is confident those that remain will retain the hunger to churn out the victories each weekend.

He said: “I’ve still got that passion and fire as captain and I’m confident it’s the same for the players.

“They’ll be some ins and outs. That’s a natural thing and I think it’s a good thing as well because it keeps the squad fresh.

“We’ll look to build another squad that is capable of competing at the top end and one that has that fire to keep winning games every week.”

One player Heath would be keen to see return is Peter Hatzoglou.

The Australian arrived in Cambridgeshire with Big Bash League-winning experience and ended this summer by receiving a call-up to The Hundred with the Oval Invincibles.

Heath is unsure as to whether the spinner will be back at the Spicers Sports Ground in 2023, yet either way he is pleased the club has played a key role in Hatzoglou’s story.

“He delivered everything we expected and much more – both on and off the pitch,” added Heath.

“We’re so proud of what he achieved in The Hundred, even if it meant we lost him for a little while before he came back.

“It would be amazing to have him back next year but if he doesn’t it will mean he’s gone on to bigger and better things and that’s amazing as well.

“We’re proud to have been a part of his journey. Watching him in The Hundred he was exactly the same as he was with us, just playing with a smile on his face. He deserves all the success he gets in the future.”