Lord salutes new additions

ON THE WAY TO WELL-I-HOLE: former Uppermill captain Dave Roberts and brother Peter have signed for Saddleworth.

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WITH Heyside switching to the CLL and Hollinwood taking a season out as they try to attract new players, 14 clubs will contest this year’s SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League campaign.


With plans being formulated to set up a Greater Manchester pyramid system, this year’s competition could well be the last.

The preview to the season concludes by focusing on Saddleworth to Wythenshawe.

Remember, the action gets under way on Sunday.


SADDLEWORTH . . .

Captain: Brian Lord. Professional: Imran Aslam (Pakistan). Overseas amateur: None.


UNDER the stewardship of Brian Lord, the Well-i-Hole club pushed Glodwick all the way in last season’s title race.

With the addition of the Roberts brothers, Dave and Peter, and Mohammed Shakir, from Droylsden, they seem in decent shape to mount another strong challenge.

The signing of medium-pacer Shakir is a good one. A regular among the leading amateur bowlers — he claimed 68 victims in 2014 at 14.75 — Lord is sure to throw him the new ball.

There won’t be any respite for opposition batsmen as prolific wicket-taker Imran Aslam is back for a second term as paid man.

Lord said: “The Roberts brothers have experience in winning trophies, while ‘Shak’ has been a very consistent performer for a few years now.”

Saddleworth are minus tall quickie Tom Avery, who has rejoined Rochdale in the CLL.


SHAW . . .


Captain: Kane Fullalove. Professional: None. Overseas amateur: None.


BATSMEN Anthony Edden, Pip Taylor and Joe Whitehead are back at Holebottom Clough to hand Kane Fullalove a boost in his first season in charge of the senior XI.

In replacing John Punchard — bound to return to the CLL — Shaw have pinned their faith in a player who holds the club close to his heart.

Having represented Shaw since the age of eight, Fullalove says it’s a “big deal” for him to skipper the side.

The 23-year-old has the backing of his younger brother Drew (21), whom he rates as a quick bowler, and two new names to the league, all-rounders Azam Hussain and Waqar Khan, both of whom possess experience in the Liverpool Competition.

“In all honesty, I can’t see us competing with the likes of Moorside and Saddleworth, but I would hope that we will be among the teams fighting it out in mid-table,” added Fullalove.


SOUTH-WEST MANCHESTER . . .


Captain: Khalid Mahmood. Professional: None. Overseas amateur: None.


DECIDING against employing a professional, South-West Manchester have instead used their resources to bring in a level two coach to aid the club’s juniors.

“Our focus is very much building a foundation for the future,” said captain Khalid Mahmood. “That, we feel, is the way forward.”

South-West Manchester will look to Mahmood, Sajid Nazer, Mirnal Dasgupta and Ali Khan to provide the bulk of the runs, while medium-fast bowler Najib Ahmad will spearhead the attack.


STAYLEY. . .


Captain: Steve Bird. Professional: Hamza Nadeem (Pakistan). Overseas amateur: Oral Rankine (West Indies).


THE Millbrook club have switched from a batting professional who can turn his arm over — they employed Kamran Hussain last term — to an outright pace bowler.

They have pinned their faith in Hamza Nadeem, who has proved his worth in the Birmingham League, one of the toughest local league competitions in the country.

Steve Becks, another quickie, is the second of three new signings. The other is the recognisable face of Peter Skuse, who plays as an amateur after spells as a pro at Saddleworth and Micklehurst.

Skuse will offer a spin option alongside youngster James Wardle.

Overseas amateur Oral Rankine and JP Lee fill both batting and bowling roles in a strong-looking Stayley line-up.


UPPERMILL . . .


Captain: Michael Brooks. Professional: None. Overseas amateur: Daelon Campbell (South Africa).


THE loss of five players — four to rival teams — has left a pretty big hole to plug at Leefields.

With Alex Griffiths and James Baron now plying their trade at Moorside, wicketkeeping and spin bowling duties have crossed to Michael Salmon and new overseas amateur Daelon Campbell respectively. Another fresh face, John Lees, also provides off-spin.

South African Campbell also fits into a batting order shorn of the Roberts brothers, Pete and Dave, who have made the short hop to Saddleworth.

Matt Taylor is unavailable, and skipper Michael Brooks said: “If we can finish half-way, that would be a reasonable season.”


WHALLEY RANGE . . .


Captain: Waqas Malik. Professional: None. Overseas amateur: Daniel Abel (Australia).


WITH a season under their belts, Whalley Range will be looking to better their 10th-place finish.

In Waqas Malik, they have a bowler who gets through plenty of work but also gets plenty of wickets — 71 victims at 13.42 in 2014 which clinched the amateur bowling prize.

They have an overseas amateur in Daniel Abel — he bowls left-arm spin — while Junaid Maqsood and Ollie Stamp have returned to the club and will strengthen the batting and bowling line-ups respectively.

Much is thought of Ejaz Din, who amassed more than 500 runs last season despite playing in only 17 matches because of family commitments. As vice-captain, he is expected to play a full part this year.


WYTHENSHAWE . . .


Captain: Adam Newington. Professional: None. Overseas amateur: None.


RATHER than splashing the cash on a professional, the Longley Lane club will instead use the money for new sightscreens and scorebox.

Adam Newington, in his second season at Wythenshawe after signing from Marple in the Cheshire County League, has replaced Martin Leonard as skipper.

Players to watch out for include opening batsman Jason Warner, who is expected to open the innings alongside Chris Miller, Vee Jay and Sam Grant.

Jay is a medium-quick bowler who capable of putting bat to ball with good effect, while Grant captained the league’s colts side in 2014 and also guided Wythenshawe to victory in the under-17s Romida Trophy final.



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