We’re proud to announce our new role as Lead Player Sponsor for the 2025 season at Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club – one of Warwickshire’s most historic and respected community sports clubs.
Founded in 1898 through the merger of Knowle and Dorridge village teams, the club has long been a fixture of the local sporting landscape. From its modest beginnings with a tent as its pavilion to today’s renowned facilities at Station Road, K&D has grown into a centre of cricketing excellence. It now regularly competes in top-level amateur competitions and has hosted county and minor championship matches on one of the region’s most admired pitches.
Hamza Shaikh
A rising star in English cricket, Hamza is a Warwickshire Academy graduate and current England U19 international. Having just turned 18, he’s already shown immense promise, debuting for Warwickshire’s senior side in 2022 and starring in the 2023 U19 Quadrangular Series in India, where he top-scored with 464 runs, including two centuries. Hamza brings both talent and maturity to the K&D first XI – a perfect example of the bright future of English cricket. We’re excited to support his continued development.
Ethan Brookes
Ethan began his cricketing journey as a junior with Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club and has steadily climbed the ranks to now represent Worcestershire County Cricket Club — one of the eighteen first-class county clubs in the domestic cricket structure of England and Wales. An accomplished all-rounder and 2024 T20 Player of the Season, his contributions have been pivotal across all formats. His leadership on the field and consistent performances continue to energise the squad and inspire the next generation of players.
Sophie Mitchell
Sophie has been part of the K&D Cricket Club since her early playing days, progressing through the ranks from junior level to being named club captain in 2025. Now studying at Loughborough University, she continues to develop her game and has spent the winter training with the first team, honing her skills as K&D’s opening batter.
Lucy Marlow
Lucy joined K&D five years ago at under-10 level and has grown into a talented all-rounder, delivering impact with both bat and ball. A left-arm pace bowler, she delivered a standout performance last season for the Women’s 1XI against Leamington, taking 5 wickets for 0 runs in just 3 overs. With a highest score of 87 for Warwickshire against Northamptonshire, Lucy continues to demonstrate her strength and potential on the field.
A Club On The Rise
As of mid-May 2025, the Men’s team have won four of their last five games. The Women’s team also came out on top, with both Lucy and Sophie having significant involvement – a testament to the strength of the squad and the momentum building within the club.
James Hateley, Grayson Supply Chain Director, said: “It’s been a real pleasure working with Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club on this partnership. As a local business, we’re always looking for ways to support our community and the next generation – and K&D is a fantastic example of grassroots sport done right.
“This sponsorship is a great opportunity to back emerging talent and contribute to a club that’s built on teamwork, development, and passion for the game. We’re proud to support Ethan, Hamza, Sophie, and Lucy this season, and we’ll be cheering them on throughout.”
We believe in uniting communities and nurturing the values of teamwork, care, and courage. Supporting local talent, especially in such a respected club with deep roots in its community, aligns perfectly with our own values.
This partnership marks another step in our ongoing commitment to giving back to the people and places we’re proud to call home. We look forward to an exciting season ahead and to cheering on our sponsored talents alongside the entire Knowles & Dorridge team from the boundary.
