Bollywood signing for Crompton

Mohammad Zaman signs watched by Crompton’s Glenn Dawson and Andrew Kershaw.

CROMPTON Cricket Club stewardess Hazel Tomkinson proved an unwitting intermediary in the capture of new professional Mohammad Zaman.

It was while Hazel was having a meal at The Bollywood Spice in Shaw that she discovered Zaman, who is a partner in the restaurant, was the former Littleborough paid man.

“It came out in conversation that cricketers are given a discount and that is how Hazel found out about Mohammad,” explained Crompton official Glenn Dawson.

And after the club’s cricket committee approached 26-year-old Zaman he agreed to be their paid man for 2009, replacing West Indian Kevin Stoute who has signed for Staffordshire side Leek.

Zaman was professional at Littleborough in 2005 and 2006 scoring 987 and 1047 runs, respectively, and claiming 28 and 32 wickets.

And for the last two seasons, Zaman has played for Cleckheaton in the Bradford League, topping the batting averages in the summer just gone.

Before that he had represented Pakistan at under-16 and 18 level, played first-class cricket for Faisalabad and Wapda and represented his country in a four-day international match against South Africa.

CROMPTON have won the second-division prize in a new initiative to promote fair play in the Lake Garage CLL.

The Spirit of the Game Trophies are determined by umpires and the second team emerged victors from their division while Middleton landed the division-one honour.

OLDHAM CC are looking for players for their under-11s for the Indoor league which starts in January. Players of all ages are also required for next season. For more details contact John on 07786100155.