ECB Cornwall Premier League side Callington have announced their pre-season schedule for 2020.

The Moores Park outfit are preparing for a third consecutive season in the top-flight and have been busy, recruiting six new players including Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanoj Darshika, former Devon and MCC Young Cricketer Rhys Davies and South African left-armer Rob Mutch, with further incomings expected to be officially announced in the coming months.

Callington get their campaign underway on Sunday, April 12 with a 50-over home fixture against Lanhydrock before heading down to reigning Premier League, Vinter Cup, WT Edwards Cup and Kernow T20 Crash champions Penzance the following weekend.

They face Greg Smith’s side in a 50-over clash on the Saturday before squaring up in a T20 double-header.

With the opening day of the T20 Kernow Crash starting on Saturday, April 25, Callington have arranged for another 50-over friendly against Devon Premier League side Plymouth less than 24 hours later.

Plymouth are one of the stronger teams in the county and will provide an extremely tough test.

Despite the daunting fixture list, White believes it will ensure they’re ready to compete once the Cornwall Premier League starts in mid-May.

He said: “I’m very happy with the mix of pre-season games we have lined up. I think it’s good to challenge ourselves against strong opposition early on. Lanhydrock are a good County One side and are a very social bunch of lads that always turn up to compete, so we’re looking forward to that.

“I believe a lot of teams would shy away from playing Penzance three times in two days, but personally I love it. They are a team full of superstars and big name players so there’s no better way of seeing exactly where we’re at than playing against them.

“We are going down there on a mini tour and will be staying down there. I will be hoping to take as strong a side as possible but it will also be a good opportunity to rotate players between the three games, as I’m sure Penzance will do.

“Plymouth are also another very strong side, similar to us in terms of a young group of lads, and I know they’ve had a busy winter recruiting like we have. So we look forward to that challenge.”

With Darshika, Davies and Mutch joining the likes of White, Aidan Libby and Chris Davies in the side and no-one yet to depart, White admits that competition for places is going to be tough.

Weekly indoor nets start at Callington Community College on Sunday, January 19 from midday to 2pm.

He said: “I think it’s important to give everyone a chance in pre-season games. But I would say that everyone gets a chance to stake a claim for a place in the side way before these games are played. It all starts with commitment and turning up to training and working hard.

“Performance in pre-season will definitely help decide the teams to a certain extent. As first team captain I don’t have sole responsibility of picking the sides. We have a selection committee of which I’m on, that will have the tough task of choosing two sides each week.

“We have plenty of games before the league starts which is always good and allows our batters to have plenty of time out in the middle. On top of that, we will also be doing a lot of middle practice in training to ensure we’re hitting enough balls.”

Callington have also been drawn against West of England Premier League side Bridgwater in the first-round of the Royal London Club Championship.

The tie will be held in Somerset on Sunday, May 10 with the winners away to Devon champions Heathcoat or Clevedon three weeks later.