Young Aussie set to join Friarmere

CRICKET:

FRIARMERE, from the Saddleworth and District Cricket League, have named young Australian Joshua Butler as their professional for 2010.

The 18-year-old left-arm spinner, who is a member of the 13-man Queensland Country squad, is eager to gain experience from playing in England.

The business student recently claimed career-best figures of seven for 27 in a first-grade match for Mudgeeraba-Nerang against Coomera Hope Island.

Butler, who benefits from British Ancestral rights so is free strict regulations concerning work permits, said: “It was a pretty special day. I’ve had a couple of six-fors on my way through but never seven.”

His father was born in Scotland, but moved to New Zealand, where he played first-class cricket. Butler’s grandparents on his mother’s side originate from Scotland.

He has played with or against several international players, such as Adam Hollioake, Craig McDermott and Andrew Symmonds.

Butler holds an Australian level one coaching qualification, which is equivalent to ECB level two.

He has represented South East Queensland at under-17s and 19s level, and also the Gold Coast.




WERNETH’S Matthew Taylor took three for 22 as Longley CC defeated Woodbridge in an Grade ‘A’ cricket fixture in Tasmania.

Taylor was the main wicket-taker as Woodbridge were bowled out for 109, a total which Longley passed for the loss of four wickets.

Gordon Fisher, an umpire in the Central Lancashire League, was a surprise visitor to the game.

Mr Fisher, who is visiting family in Tasmania, had read an Evening Chronicle article on the club’s two Werneth players, Taylor and Franco Lenhardt, and decided to seek out his fellow countrymen.

A Longley spokesman said: “The two young lads were quite surprised by his visit and Gordon has even offered to umpire a match while he is in Tasmania.”