Matt Coles is the latest county cricket star to sign for Minster. The 28-year-old Essex all- rounder will play for the Islanders when his county commitments allow next season.

Former Kent cricketer Fabian Cowdrey had an enjoyable first season on and off the field last season as Minster won promotion from Kent League Division 3 and now Coles has left Maidstone-based The Mote – where he has played his club cricket as man and boy – to also play for Minster in 2019.

Current Minster first team player and former captain James White played with Coles during their time together in the Kent age group structure and also had a role in attracting Coles, along with club chief executive Neil Hosken.

Coles, whose county career has seen him score more than 3,500 runs and take 565 wickets, said:

“Fabian and I played a lot of cricket together during my two spells at Kent and he has had nothing but good things to say about Minster. He has been impressed with how the club operates under Neil’s guidance and I look forward to playing when I can and helping develop the younger players. Hopefully, I can pass on some advice and Minster enjoy another successful season. Neil and I have spoken at length on how we can work with the youngsters during the winter months and pre-season and that is something which appeals to me a lot.”

Mr Hosken said: “Fabian loved his first season here at Minster and I have been impressed by Matt during our meet-ups. He’s a great lad and obviously an immense player. Having him play and be an ambassador for our club can only be great news, not just for cricket but sport on Sheppey generally. I look forward to seeing him play and just as importantly, helping the development of our players, young and older.”

Coles played five matches for The Mote last season, the highlight being his 71-ball innings of 137 against Folkestone. However, The Mote were relegated after finishing bottom of Division 1 – winning just five of their 18 matches – and will be in Division 2 along with Minster next season.