Search for a star begins as clubs examine budgets

CRICKET:

WITH 24 of the 30 matches played in this season’s Lake Garage CLL programme, clubs will already be making plans for the 2012 campaign.

Uppermost in their thoughts will be the professionals for next summer, although the likes of Michael Price at Norden, Michael Smith (Middleton), Clinton Perren (Littleborough) and Paul Green (Monton and Weaste) are likely to be be retained if agreements can be reached.

It is not so straightforward on the local front, however.

My information is that Luke Procter will not be retained at Royton by mutual consent.

Procter has blossomed as a Lancashire player this summer and, at the age of 22, is a young cricketer the Red Rose county will invest much faith in.

His appearances for Royton have been limited, but when he has turned out he has often made significant contributions with bat or ball.

A club with big plans for the future, Royton have already begun their inquiries and it would be no surprise to see a top professional join new skipper Alan Durose and a host of promising youngsters at the Paddock.

Money worries, particularly at Oldham and Crompton, will restrict the choices of the other three local clubs.

In fairness, Kamran Hussain has performed creditably with the bat at Oldham and while his namesake Fida has hardly lit up Glebe Street, he has been playing in an under-performing side.

It would be a surprise if either was retained, but with money being so tight, you never know.

As for Werneth, their paid man Hasnain Abbas has made winning contributions – but simply not enough of them.

A batting average of just over 30 and bowling return of marginally over 20 is nothing more than reasonable and if Werneth are to build on another season of promise, but no trophies, they will need to dip further into their pockets.