Shaw young guns make their mark
Reporter: KEVIN RICHARDSON
Date published: 16 June 2011
CRICKET: SKIPPER Andy Young has saluted the influence of Shaw’s young guns as they continue their pursuit of Uppermill at the top of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League table.
Off-spinner Callum Jones, low-order batsman Tom Rowlands, all-rounder Drew Fullalove and wicketkeeper Matt Chadwick have all made their mark in the first team this season.
The quartet has thrived in the presence of professional Khurram Shehzad and overseas amateur Jawad Hameed Haq, and have played their part in lifting Shaw to second place in the standings.
Rowlands and Fullalove also play for the club’s under-17s. The latter, along with Chadwick, is in the Saddleworth League’s under-18s side. Jones is also eligible for the representative team.
Young said: “These lads have really applied themselves and I can’t fault them at all.
“The bowling of Callum Jones has been a big plus. It has meant that I haven’t had to use Khurram as much, which obviously keeps him that bit fresher.
“Tom has great energy in the field and is good for morale; Drew can be erratic at times but is probably our quickest bowler; and the fact that Matt is my vice-captain shows the impact he has had on the team.”
Young is full of praise for Joe Whitehead, promoted from the seconds recently, and opening partner Dave Andrew.
The latter, one of the most experienced faces at Holebottom Clough, is back in the first-team picture after he initially taking a step back from front-line duties.
Shehzad and Haq have made a big impact at Shaw. The former, who has played in the Liverpool Competition and the Bradford League, scored 150 against Greenfield at the start of the month and tops the pros batting averages, while his fellow Pakistani has proved a hit with his off-spinners.
Young (28) said: “Khurram is a top-notch batsman and is one the best I’ve seen and played with. In my opinion, he’s up there with Aamir Bashir.
“He’s a model professional and has been great for the club. He plays all the right shots, mostly along the ground and in the gaps. When he does go the aerial route the ball nearly always goes for six.
“Jawad is probably the most consistent bowler in the league at present and I can rely on him to tie-up one end. He tends to get through 15 overs for not so many runs and takes a couple of wickets.”
Shaw are counting down to a vital couple of days when local rivalry and their title credentials are put to the test.
Next up are the traditional Whit double-headers, with Shaw at home to third-placed Heyside on Saturday with the reverse fixture at Little Hey Street 24 hours later.
“It is a massive weekend for both sides,” said captain Andy Young, who was the first captain to get the better of reigning champions Bamford Fieldhouse this season.
“Two wins and we’re going to be right in the hunt with Uppermill and we’ve still got to go to their place.
“We’ve won our last four league games and we want to continue that run of success, but it won’t be easy as this is one of the most competitive seasons for a long time.”
