Royton CC’s new-look team is, from left to right, back: Ryan Harding, Matthew Hodson, Simon Harmer, Gary Lees, Matthew Ward, Paul Hughes. Front: Ian Halliwell, Luke Procter (professional), Guy Lovell (captain), Tony Walsh, Gaurav Dhar.

CLL prospects with KEITH McHUGH

A FASCINATING clash between young professionals from England and Barbados promises to light up the Paddock tomorrow.

The Lake Garage CLL fixture between Royton and Crompton sees local lad Luke Procter pit his wits against exciting West Indian Kevin Stoute.

Procter, a highly-promising all-rounder who is on Lancashire’s books, is in his first full season as Royton paid man, and he will have noticed the exploits of the new Crompton professional, who destroyed Ashton at Glebe Street on Saturday.

Stoute smashed 62 from only 35 balls and took three wickets for 57 as Crompton defeated Ashton by 33 runs.

And skipper Simon Wright was suitably impressed by Crompton’s latest signing.

He said: “I was surprised when I saw in the paper that he made his runs off so few balls faced. He plays proper cricket shots and looks a good player.

“And he bowled well, too. It took him a while to get used to the pace of the pitch, but once he did he looked good.”

Wright expects Crompton to be at full strength for tomorrow’s derby game, but Royton are likely to test them to the full despite under-performing in their eight-wicket defeat at Walsden last weekend.

Procter will be keen to get among the wickets and runs on his home ground, while skipper Guy Lovell is sure to cajole improvement from a youthful side who can only get better as they gain experience.

New signing Ian Helliwell failed to trouble the scorer before being run out at Walsden, so the highly-rated opening batsman will be looking for a change of luck tomorrow.

The same applies to Helliwell’s opening partner Matt Ward and overseas amateur Simon Harmer and if these three and Procter can get some runs on the board, then Royton’s varied attack could put Crompton under pressure.

OLDHAM came good at Middleton on Saturday and go to Clifton full of confidence.

Chinthaka Jayasinghe, the new professional at the Pollards, was an instant hit against Middleton, taking three wickets and hitting a rapid unbeaten 82 in a seven-wicket victory for Oldham.

“He is a good professional and gives a lot of confidence to the rest of the team,” said Oldham skipper Mel Whittle.

“His innings at Middleton was incredible, with one of his sixes landing in someone’s garden – it was huge!

“He is a good bowler, too, and gets it to dip about a bit.”

Tomorrow’s game pitches Oldham against a professional Whittle knows all about.

During his spell with Kearsley in the Bolton League, Whittle came face to face with Pakistan’s Adil Nisar, whose batting exploits raised eyebrows on the local cricket scene.

“I remember going to Tonge and he swung right across the line and hit my first ball for six,” laughed Whittle.

“I think he went on to make about 140. In fact, he made over 2,000 runs in one season for Tonge so he is obviously someone we need to get out.”

But Whittle is happy to take Nisar on again after bowling 25 productive overs at Middleton.

Whittle, who picked up three wickets and conceded only 56 runs, said: “Confidence in the side is high. We don’t fear anybody.”

WERNETH, beaten by a strong Heywood outfit last Saturday, will be looking to register their first win of the campaign against Littleborough at the Coppice.

A slow wicket and Crimble professional Ruvin Peiris, who made 131, combined to dash their hopes against Heywood, but Sri Lankan professional Loku showed good control with the ball and was unlucky to play on against opening bowler Steve Cheetham.

Loku is sure to make his mark once he adapts to English conditions, while Werneth’s young skipper Andy Walker will be looking for a big improvement in his team’s all-round performance tomorrow.      

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