Luke-ing back with affection

Photo: Chris Sunderland

I DON’T BELIEVE IT: frustrated Werneth professional Hasnain Abbas looks to the skies as his Royton counterpart Luke Procter gets away with a delivery which keeps low.

CRICKET: LUKE Procter, who began his career as a young hopeful at Oldham, has grown into a county cricketer of great potential.

Already established in the Lancashire team in his first full season with the Red Rose county, Procter can look forward to many fruitful years at Old Trafford.

But there will be a strong reminder of his roots and a touch of nostalgia when he lines up for Royton against his old club Oldham at the Paddock on Sunday.

And former team-mates Chris McDonnell and Paul Thompson have been quick to pull his leg.

Said Oldham skipper McDonnell: “People tend to forget that Luke is a product of our youth system, having come through the ranks before joining me for a season at Kearsley and then going to Royton.

“Thommo and I sent him a text this week asking if he was playing against us or bottling out and playing for Lancashire.

“Luke said he was playing against us so that’s good and Royton are certainly an improving team who beat us in a shortened match against us at our place earlier in the season.”

Oldham, who bounced back to form with an 88-runs defeat of Crompton at Glebe Street on Sunday, may parade a new signing in Aneeq Hassan.

The top-order batsman and leg spinner has been playing for Enfield Cricket Club in Accrington and McDonnell says he is impressed by what he has seen so far.

Hassan, who was encouraged to join Oldham by Pollards bowler and close friend Saeed Wasif, needs league clearance to play this weekend, but his all-round ability will certainly give McDonnell more options once permission to play is granted.

“Plus it means I might not have to bowl,” quipped the skipper.