Whittle return lifts Oldham

OLDHAM Cricket Club’s troubled season has finally taken a turn for the better with the news that Mel Whittle has agreed to return to the Pollards as professional for the rest of the season.

Whittle, the Oldham captain last summer, had been playing for Micklehurst in the Huddersfield League.

He is expected to be joined at Oldham by two other Micklehurst players, one of which is believed to be his son, Tom, the skipper at Richmond Hill.

Earlier this week, Oldham were rocked by news that their professional Paul Jewitt had retired after picking up a serious bicep injury.

They also learned that Ian Chadwick had been ruled out for several weeks after breaking his hand while fielding against Uppermill in the LCB Cup.

Whittle will go straight into the Oldham team to play at Ashton tomorrow, but Tom and any other player joining from another club will have to wait until their registration with the Lake Garage CLL can be processed.

Mel Whittle has already played as deputy professional for Oldham this season, so has immediate clearance.