Familiar face returns

BACK IN THE FOLD: Darren Shadford is the professional at Werneth for 2010.

CRICKET:

WERNETH will have the security of a regular professional in 2010, prompting hopes of an improved season.

The Coppice club started superbly under stand-in pro Pierre Joubert last summer, but the subsequent absence of intended paid man Roelof van der Merwe and need to sign stand-ins on a regular basis had a detrimental effect on performances.

Darren Shadford, a well-known figure at Werneth, returns as professional this season after a spell with Bamford Fieldhouse in the Saddleworth League.

The former Werneth skipper and Lancashire all-rounder will spearhead a side which also includes a new overseas amateur in 18-year-old Chris Erasmus.

The South African is a top-order batsman who keeps wicket, which is just as well for Werneth following the departure to Royton of Gareth Lees.

Ian Dronsfield and Matt Taylor are likely to open the batting, but the latter and middle-order man Franco Lenhardt are still in Tasmania, where they are playing cricket for Longley CC.

Both are set to return next week to bolster a side which will also include Ian’s brother, Mark, young all-rounder Joe Taylor and medium quick bowler Michael Wilson.

But Shadford and Erasmus apart, much will depend on skipper Andy Walker and influential all-rounder Alan Durose.

Walker was an effective stand-in opening batsman on several occasions last season and might do the job again on Sunday with Matt Taylor absent.

Walker’s spin bowling is also an asset to the side, a remark which applies to Durose, who is often asked to provide long spells which frequently yield vital wickets.

Durose remains a key batsmen and his efforts, alongside those of fellow batsmen Shadford, Matt Taylor, Erasmus, Lenhardt and the two Dronsfields, are likely to shape the fortunes of Werneth’s season.