Walker in search of consistency

Andy Walker

CRICKET:

WERNETH CC

DURING a purple patch in the middle of last summer, Werneth were more than a match for any team in the CLL.

So it was disappointing that they faded at the end of the season and were unable to secure a top-five berth and place in the LCB Cup.

That is something skipper Andy Walker hopes to put right during 2011.

”Consistency is the key for us,” he said. “We started off so well with victory at Monton and Weaste, but then lost our way before playing well again in the middle of the season.

“With a few games to go we had a chance of that top-five place, but it was not be. Hopefully, we will find that consistency we need this season.”

With professional Darren Shadford and all-rounder Alan Durose having departed for pastures new, Werneth have secured a new paid man in Hasnain Abbas and overseas amateur in Lewis Ashton.

Abbas (27) played for Little Hulton in the Bolton Association last summer, scoring over 1,400 runs and taking more than 40 wickets.

He also made a double hundred off only 100 balls against Middleton in a LCB Cup game, so is capable of producing batting fireworks.

Ashton (20) hails from Melbourne, where he plays his club cricket and is a middle order batsman.

He is one of two Aussies to come over this summer with Heywood’s Danny Pawson, who played at the same Melbourne club during the winter.

With quality amateurs such as Matt and Joe Taylor, Jon Slater and Mark Dronsfield — a revelation with the ball last season — prospects are bright for Werneth in 2011.

And they will have a new wicketkeeper in 17-year-old Robert Shaw, who will don the gloves when exams permit. Slater will stand in when he is unavailable.