New pro tonic for Crompton

CARL TAYLOR . . . hoping Kevin Bennett can provide much-needed runs.

CRICKET:


CROMPTON have moved early to sign a new professional for the 2013 Lake Garage CLL season.

Kevin Bennett, a 31-year-old right-hand batsman from South Africa, will join Glebe Street next summer, when Crompton compete in the CLL’s second tier.

Promotion from the Championship to the Premier Division will be Crompton’s aim and, with this year’s professional Simon Wright playing as an amateur to back up other talented players in the squad, skipper Carl Taylor is expecting an improved campaign.

Crompton have bowled consistently well during the last couple of summers, but runs have proved their Achilles heel.

Bennett is an experienced campaigner who plays for Border in his native South Africa.

He made his first-class debut for Border against Zimbabwe under-23s in 2005 and has since played more than 80 first-class matches. He averages 35.16 and has a top score of 176.

Taylor is delighted with the signing: “We looked at their stats which were in the late 30s and Kevin’s average is about the same, so let’s hope he can do as well as they have. Kevin comes highly recommended, not just as a player but as a man, too.”