The 4th XI is the newest addition to the Senior teams at Hartlepool Cricket Club. The 4th XI was granted entry to the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League’s Sunday Conference North 3rd XI competition at the League’s Annual General Meeting held in 2021. Consequently, 2021 will be the 4th XI’s inaugural season.

Although the 4th XI falls under the Senior section, the idea is that the 4th XI will be a development / academy side, providing Junior cricketers with an additional route to make the transition between Junior and Senior cricket. It will be mainly comprised of Junior players, supplemented by two, or three Senior players.

Chris Smith, (Director of Coaching), was instrumental in setting up the 4th XI. Chris is passionate about junior cricket and has the honour of being the first Captain of Hartlepool Cricket Club’s 4th XI. Chris’ experience will be invaluable to those Junior players who will be playing Senior cricket for the very first time. Those Juniors who perform will the 4th XI will hopefully graduate to the 3rd XI. The 4th XI is an extremely exciting pathway development for our Junior players.