Umpires and players to clear the air

KYLE HOGG: Coaching course

UMPIRES are to meet first and second team captains before the start of the new Armstrong Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League season.

The idea of the get-together, at Uppermill CC on April 15 (8pm), is to point out the skippers’ responsibilities and iron out any problems or concerns before they arise.

Umpires secretary Peter Darby said the purpose of the meeting was to improve standards in the league.

He explained: “We won’t be preaching to the captains, we just want to make things run as smoothly as possible.

“Captains need to fill in and hand over team cards to the umpires before play starts. We don’t want to be chasing them up all the time.

“It’s the same with the bell. It is rung before the start of each innings. It may be only a minor thing to some people, but other leagues do it and it works well.

“We will also be reminding captains about discipline. After a rule change at the last annual meeting, players can now receives automatic bans for offences reported to the umpires.”


LAST year’s Saddleworth and District Cricket League dinner at Clough Manor, Denshaw, made a loss of £348.

League officials blamed increased costs of staging the function and a fall in numbers.

Clubs have been asked for suggestions to make it popular again.

Ideas already voiced include a mixed evening when wives and girlfriends are invited or a buffet meal instead of a sit-down dinner.


LANCASHIRE all-rounder Kyle Hogg and former Flowery Field player Andrew Gleave are poised to pass on their cricketing knowledge to young hopefuls.

The pair are organising a three-day course for 10 to 18-year-olds at Hulme Grammar School, starting on Monday, April 6 (10am to 3pm). The cost of the course is £60.

Hogg, from Greenfield, is a level two coach and is currently preparing for Lancashire’s 10-trip to the United Arab Emirates as preparations for the new season intensify.

To book and for more information, call (0161) 303 1478.


AUSTERLANDS Cricket Club have been chosen as a venue for NatWest CricketForce 2009.

The project is about getting the community to help spruce up their local cricket ground by way of donating materials or their time. The club, who are members of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League, are also seeking prizes for a raffle on the day.

Players from Lancashire are expected to support the event, which takes place on Saturday, April 4 (start 9am).

The Thorpe Lane outfit were recommended for NatWest CricketForce 2009 by the Lancashire Cricket Board.

For more details, contact Austerlands junior co-ordinator Peter Sunderland on 07801 204135.