cricket: Spinner Lilley turns to Delph

DELPH will boast Aaron Lilley and Carl Jump among their ranks as preparations for the 2009 Drakes Huddersfield League season gather momentum.

Teenager Lilley, an off-spin bowler, has made the short switch from premiership one rivals Micklehurst, while all-rounder Jump has returned after a two-year stint at Holmfirth.
Delph will also welcome back Graeme Simpson, who missed the second half of last season after undergoing open heart surgery. The former Shaw batsman is netting with his club colleagues.

Captain Grant Jones is expected to resume his wicketkeeping duties as a consequence of ex-Lancashire player Jamie Haynes’ decision to quit England for Australia.

Haynes was brought in when Jones gave up the gloves because of a back injury.

Kyle Hogg has been registered again, but the all-rounder’s appearances will depend on his commitments with Lancashire.

Delph, the reigning Examiner Twenty20 champions, are in the process of re-signing Bilal Khiljee, who enjoyed a fine first season at Huddersfield Road.

With a sponsors’ licence in place, club officials are now sorting out a work permit for the classy Pakistani.

Fingers crossed, the paperwork will be place for Delph’s opening match away at Slaithwaite, on Saturday, April 18.

They have been drawn at home to Kirkburton in the first round of the Romida Sykes Cup on Saturday, May 2.


MICKLEHURST are holding an extraordinary general meeting on Monday, March 23 (start 8.30pm).

It has been called to approve new constitution to comply with ECB Clubmark requirements. A new committee will also be appointed.

Looking ahead to the Drakes Huddersfield League premiership one season, Tom Whittle will again skipper the side which will feature Andrew Gleave.

Gleave, once of Flowery Field in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League, has unenviable task as he fills the void left by classy Australian professional Dennis Lonergan.

Micklehurst begin their Drakes Huddersfield League campaign at Golcar on Saturday, April 18.

The two teams met on the final day of last season when victory for the Richmond Hill outfit denied Golcar the premiership one title.

Micklehurst are away to Almondbury in the first round of the Romida Sykes Cup on Saturday, May 2.