Ingham talks up a relaxed mind

BAGS of experience: Peter Rowlands (left), Alan Campbell and Steve Whitehead, of Shaw CC.

SHAW captain Mark Ingham has stressed the virtues of keeping calm in Sunday’s Moore Cup final against Greenfield at Holebottom Clough (start 1.45pm).

The contest sees the hosts, who sit third, tackle the team who are directly below them in division two of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

Shaw also have an eye on the title, but Ingham is fully focused on Sunday’s showdown.

The 32-year-old batsman said: “Greenfield are a very good side and there won’t be much in it.

“We’ve got a good chance as long as we keep it simple and stay relaxed.

“Each player knows what is required of them. That is important, because I don’t want players worrying about their team-mates.”

Ingham is in his second season as second XI captain. He was initially a first-team regular after arriving at the club from Crompton 10 years ago.

He has several older heads at his disposal, as well as a group of up-and-coming younger players.

This will be Ingham’s first taste of a Moore Cup final, but he can draw on the experience of two Tanner Cup finals.

He was in the Shaw side that lost to Saddleworth in 2006, but made amends by overcoming Austerlands 12 months later. Dave Andrew featured in the same two games and will be in action on Sunday.

Three of the Shaw players on show, Alan Campbell, Steve Whitehead and Peter Rowlands have won the competition before.

Campbell is the senior member of the team at 58, but he will have a full part to play as one of Shaw’s main five bowlers.

Ingham added: “We’ve got a good mix of very experienced players, such as Alan Campbell, Steve Whitehead, Dave Andrew and Peter Rowlands, and the younger ones like Drew Fullalove and Callum Jones coming through.

“We have high hopes of Drew and Callum. Drew has taken more than 30 wickets this season, while Callum is a promising spinner.

“Alan is not the father figure of the team, he’s the grandfather figure. When he bowls in tandem with Steve, we call them ‘The Century Club’.”