Ethan Guest bowling for Devon against Somerset's Sean Dickson in last summer's Showcase game at Exmouth<br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe - no re-use without copyright owner's consentd

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

PLYMOUTH’S preparations for the return of Premier cricket to Mount Wise are almost complete following three more signings.

Ethan Guest, a bowling all-rounder courted by some of Cornwall’s top sides, has switched from A Division side Bridestowe to Plymouth.

Surya Suresh, who has worked his way through the Plympton and Devon youth systems, has switched clubs for another crack at top-flight cricket in the Tolchards DCL. He was a member of the Plympton side that finished bottom last season.

And the new overseas player is South African batting all-rounder Mekyle Pillay, who went through the Easterns youth programme and has been in their four-day side this season.

Guest, Suresh and Pillay join Plymstock pair Hal Kerton and Matt Whalley as new faces in the Plymouth dressing room in the season ahead. 

Sam Stein, the Plymouth captain, promotion brings new challenges and he is determined Plymouth will be able to meet them.

“I wanted to ensure the club competed to a high level, and felt we needed a few high-quality additions, so Ethan Guest and Surya have been added to our side,” said Stein.

“We know the qualities of Ethan after playing against him last year and seeing his successes when called upon by Devon as well. We are very happy to have him on board. Plymouth's new signing Suresh Surya, pictured on the way to a half-century against Heathcoat last season for Plympton | Photo: Al Stewart

“A lot of our lads know Surya through Plymouth College connections so it made his transition nice and smooth as well. We know the qualities he possesses.

Surya and Ethan are out in Australia this winter honing their skills, which is an added bonus for us.

“Mekyle is a batting all-rounder, which suits us to a tee.” 

Guest arrived in the area from East Anglia in 2024, where he previously played in the Sawston & Babraham side that won the Premier Division in 2021. Guest has also played Premier cricket in Sussex with Eastbourne.

He took 40 league wickets for Bridestowe last season – six of them against Plymstock on the last day of the summer – and chipped in with more than 200 runs.

Devon had a good look at Guest in the Lions Development XI last season and picked him for the annual 50-over encounter with Somerset CCC.

Suresh has been part of Plympton’s first-team set-up since 2021. Initially he operated as a bowler who could bat, but last season he was moved up the order. A dogged 71 against Heathcoat at first wicket down showed what he was capable of.

Harry Kandampully, the Plympton captain, said it was ‘disappointing’ by understandable to, lose Suresh.

“Surya wants to test himself at the top level after a season playing in Australia,” said Kandampully.

“Plymouth are not only getting a talented player but a lovely lad.

“We wish him well at Plymouth – and the door is always open to him should he ever wish to return.”

Pillay is no stranger to UK cricket, having had three previous stints in the country and accumulating some impressive stats.

In 2022, playing for Sentinel CC in the Shropshire County League, he 835 league runs and took 49 wickets at around 19 runs each. A switch to Norfolk Premier side Bradfield in 2023 produced 589 runs and 35 wickets. 

Pillay featured for Ferguslie in Scotland’s Western District Cricket Union last season, for whom he took 21 league wickets and scored 454 runs.