By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

BRADNINCH have made a triple swoop for new players in readiness for a Premier promotion push in 2020.

The Ninch, third in the A Division last summer, have signed batter Jesse Vertongen, all-rounder Shane Evenden and batter Ankit Badwal.

Vertongen, who will be 20 later this year, was an overseas player for Taunton CC in the third tier of the West of England Premier League last year

Vertongen has played for Taranaki in his native New Zealand and was a non-playing member of the Central District under-19 squad last season.

His record in WEPL cricket was a modest 300 runs at an average of 19, but in domestic one-day cricket at home Vertongen is averaging 37.85 this season.

A ton against Chard in the Taunton Sunday League late in the season hinted at what Vertongen is capable of.

"Jesse is a young batter who has had a good season at home so we expect him to build on his time at Taunton," said Ninch captain Elliot Acton.

"He does not bat or keep so we hope he will bring some energy to the field."

Vertongen kept wicket for Taunton last season, but Darren Paul (ex-Cullompton) has first dibs on that slot this summer.

Shane Evenden’s name and reputation in Devon is well known – as is some of the past company he has kept.

Evenden scored a double hundred for Sandford in a North Devon League fixture when aged just 16.

He was talent spotted by the England Schools’ selectors in 2006 and played in the 2006 Bunbury Festival at Fulking in Sussex. West XI team-mates included future England stars Jack Leach and Jos Buttler as well as Sidmouth’s Luke Bess and former Somerset and Surrey all-rounder James Burke from Plymouth.

Evenden has led a peripatetic existence around mid-Devon. His previous clubs include Heathcoat, Whimple, Sandford (in three spells) and Cullompton.

Shane may play a few games, but I am not expecting to see him every week but is another good addition to the squad," said Acton.

Ankit Badwal is a club cricketer from Middlesex whose last registered club is Wembley CC.