Joubert set for Werneth finale
Reporter: Local sport: CLL cricket
Date published: 29 May 2009
HIGH-FLYING Werneth say farewell to stand-in professional Pierre Joubert after tomorrow’s Lake Garage CLL game at Clifton.
The South African, an early-season replacement for Roelof van der Merwe, will return home with the thanks and praise of his team-mates at the Coppice.
Werneth are third in the table, only four points behind leaders Littleborough, and Joubert has been a major influence on their excellent performances.
Skipper Andy Walker said: “We are indebted to him so much – he has done fantastically well.
“Pierre has been the embodiment of a professional and has been supportive of everyone in training and on the field.
“He wants to do well for himself, but he gets just as much joy from the performances of other players, many of whom he has been helping along.”
Walker’s words are glowing praise, indeed, but fully justified.
Joubert stepped in to the breach for Werneth when his Titans team-mate van der Merwe was selected to play in the Indian Premier League and to represent South Africa in the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup in this country.
Joubert leaves Werneth in great shape and will be hoping to bow out in style at Clifton.
Werneth will be using deputy professionals until van der Merwe is available on June 27.
Reigning champions Heywood will be the opposition at the Coppice that day and the Crimble club are the visitors on Sunday for a John Willie Lees Wood Cup first-round fixture.
Heywood have contested the last six finals of the league’s knock-out competition, winning four of them, so Walker knows his side will have to be at their best to progress to round two.
Captained by the league’s best amateur batsman Bobby Cross, the son of former Athletic striker David, Heywood have been hit by problems with their professional this season.
Ruvin Peiris, their paid man in 2008, was signed for a repeat this season, but the new and more stringent visa regulations have prevented him from making the trip from Sri Lanka.
Heywood have not given up hope that Peiris will be able to travel soon, but so far this season they have been relying on stand-in professionals, the most recent of which has been Zimbabwean wicket-keeper/batsman Brendan Taylor.
Werneth will be fielding their own deputy paid man in 20-year-old South African all-rounder Hendrick van der Dussen.
The current Fleetwood professional in the Northern League, van der Dussen is a specialist batsman who bowls leg spin.
Werneth have already booked a professional for their league matches on Saturdays June 6 and 13.
Bacup pro Ryan Broad, a 26-year-old from Queensland, Australia, is a right-hand opening batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler.
For now, however, Walker is looking forward to Sunday’s showdown, but acknowledges the task his side faces.
“Obviously we have a difficult game, but it is a winnable one if we perform well,” he said.
