Raynor is back on the beat

CRICKET:

AN ex-Saddleworth and District Cricket League professional is promoting the sport on the other side of the English Channel.

Adrian Raynor, who was paid man at Hollinwood and Friarmere, is coach of France under-15s and returns to these shores next week as head of a touring party.

The 49-year-old retired policeman is back on his old stomping grounds as the teenagers gain experience against young talent from the local leagues.

The team, which also includes a 15-year-old girl, kick-off their trip at Shaw on Tuesday, August 23.

An under-15s XI from the CLL provide the opposition at Milnrow 24 hours later, before a Saddleworth and District Cricket League representative side face with their French counterparts at Moorside on Thursday, August 25. Matches start at 2pm.

Raynor, who also played as amateur at Heyside as well as Crompton and Royton in the CLL, said: “The government in France is keen on pushing cricket and are chucking plenty of money at it.

“It has a big following, bigger than probably most people think in this country and it has a well-established committee.

“The under-15s have played against Israel, Germany and Belgium.

“The girl in the team is a left-arm bowler and also bats and plays for the women’s national team.”

Raynor, who is married with two daughters, moved to France in 2005.

The all-rounder still plays cricket and is captain of his local side, St Aulaye, in the Dordogne, as well as South-West region representative team.

Clubs in the area are spread far and wide. Raynor added: “We play a side from Poitiers, which is about one hour, 40 minutes away.

“Instead of going there and back in a day, we take a camper van and stay overnight at the ground, sometimes longer.”




THE French national cricket team became an associate member of the International Cricket Council in 1998, having previously been an affiliate member since 1987.



They won a silver medal in the 1900 Olympic Games and are currently the 11th-ranked team in Europe.