Workload likely to be shared around

CROMPTON were CLL title contenders for much of last season, but their campaign ended rather disappointingly as they faded into fourth.

Still, that represented a huge step forward for the Glebe Street club and, although they will be without influential West Indian pair Kevin Stoute and Jevon Searles this time round, there is still plenty of talent in the team.

New skipper Glenn Dawson will place more emphasis on the performances of the “home” players, although major contributions from new professional Mohammed Zaman Khan and overseas amateur Chris Boschoff would not go amiss.

Crompton will be hoping local restaurant owner Khan serves up plenty of runs this season.

The right-hand batsman was Littleborough’s professional for three seasons during which time he twice scored over 1,000 runs.

His right-arm off spin also yields its share of wickets and, as his restaurant is in Shaw, Crompton’s new paid man can expect lots of custom from his team-mates providing he delivers the goods on the cricket field.

Boschoff, a 20-year-old South African, is the club’s new overseas amateur.

Recommended by Mark Charlton, Boschoff is a right-hand batsman who can bowl off spin.

Medium-fast bowler Ryan Mayes has joined from Oldham and is likely to share the new ball with another youngster, Aqib Zulfiqar.

Simon Wright and Majid Khan’s medium pace are likely to be employed once the opening bowlers have been given their chance, while Mohammed Khan and Danny Cashin will provide a spin option.

Free-scoring batsman Darren Graham will not be opening for the club this season. He has joined Friarmere in the Saddleworth League.

Boschoff is a possible to open the batting, while the professional is expected to bat at three, Simon Wright four and his brother Stephen at five.

The middle order will be flexible, although Zulfiqar and Majid Khan contributed useful runs last summer and may get first crack this time round.

Dawson, who takes over the captaincy from Simon Wright, said: “I am not going to make any predictions about winning things, but it would be nice to consolidate on last year’s efforts and finish in the top half of the table.

“And if someone is promoted from the second team, he will be given a chance to perform where he is used to rather than be a makeweight in the side.”