Hollinwood face tricky first hurdle

Cricket

HOLDERS Hollinwood are hoping to enhance their fine record in the Twenty20 Cup as it gets underway tomorrow evening.

In the competition’s short three-year history, John Winterbottom’s side have reached the final on two occasions, losing to Saddleworth in 2006, before beating Shaw 12 months ago.

Hollinwood face a difficult trip to Heyside in round one without three of the players who carried them to glory.

Professional Aamir Bashir is out for the season — he’s been told to rest by doctors back home — Qasar Riaz has joined Bamford Fieldhouse and Winterbottom is unavailable because of work commitments.

New-boy Israh Ur-Haq, who scored his first half-century for Hollinwood against Glodwick last weekend, also can’t get time off work, while seamer Mohammed Shazad is doubtful. Shahzad Sadaqat will lead the side.

Because of the difficulties in fielding a full-strength team, Winterbottom is advocating that the competition, which is sponsored by 20-20 Vision, of Uppermill, is switched to a Sunday.

He said: “Working hours have changed over the years and some people struggle to get away early enough.

“I don’t know why we can’t play the first two rounds on a Sunday. We could even play the first and second rounds on the same day.

“It’s also a licence to lose cricket balls. Five went missing against Stayley the other week and that was in a league game.”

Last year’s losing finalists, Shaw, go to Stayley, while inaugural winners Saddleworth play host to Friarmere and Glodwick visit Droylsden.

Moorside, Uppermill, Austerlands and Greenfield have byes, while Bamford Fieldhouse did not enter a team.

Tomorrow’s first-round fixtures (start 6.30pm) are —

Droylsden v Glodwick; Stayley v Shaw; Saddleworth v Friarmere; Heyside v Hollinwood.

Byes: Moorside, Austerlands, Greenfield, Uppermill.