Big hitters in the spotlight

TIME TO IMPROVISE . . . Werneth’s Matt Taylor tries a “Dilshan” overhead shot against Royton in the Twenty20 qualifiers.

CRICKET: THREE local teams will tomorrow night bid for a place on finals day in the John Willie Lees Twenty20 Competition.

Werneth, Crompton and Royton will all feel they have a golden chance of making progress following impressive displays in their group matches.

Werneth were the most convincing of them, winning all three of their games and smashing 250 for two against Royton at the Coppice.

That group fixture saw pro Hasnain Abbas produce fireworks in a whirlwind 141 not out off only 59 balls.

No less than 15 sixes came from the bludgeoning bat of the Pakistan batsman, while Werneth’s overseas amateur Lewis Ashton was in equally-belligerent mood, flaying six sixes in a 41-ball knock of 73.

With plenty of strength in depth in the batting department and home advantage to boot, Werneth will fancy their chances against Littleborough.

But the visitors have a couple of star performers of their own in overseas amateur Warron Williams and pro Clinton Perren.

With so many potential matchwinners on view, this looks the tie of the round.


CROMPTON may be struggling in the league, but their Twenty20 displays have been excellent and a home tie against Rochdale gives them real hope of reaching the semi-finals.
Carl Taylor’s men hammered Littleborough by nine wickets in qualifying and a repeat of that display would give them every chance tomorrow.

If confidence and momentum counts for anything, Royton will start overwhelming favourites at Radcliffe.

Cock-a-hoop after their Wood Cup semi-final demolition of Walsden, Royton are the CLL’s in-form team and possess a number of individuals capable of turning a match on its head.

A word of warning, though. Radcliffe provide tough opposition on their home ground and have a capable pro in Anwar Ul-Haq.

The night’s other quarter-final sees Middleton entertain Clifton in a repeat of last Sunday’s other Wood Cup semi-final which the hosts won in clear-cut fashion.

The venue for finals day will be drawn from the hat when the four protagonists are known.

The first semi-final on July 24 will start at 10am, with the second at 1pm and the final at 4.30pm.