McDonnell makes fresh start

CRICKET:

CHRIS McDonnell has ended speculation over his cricketing future by opting to play for Royton in this season’s Lake Garage CLL.

Since the Chronicle revealed last week that the 35-year-old McDonnell had stepped down as Oldham skipper and intended to play elsewhere, there have been clubs clamouring for his services.

But it is Royton, last year’s beaten Wood Cup finalists and a club in the ascendancy, who have won the race for the batsman’s signature.

But McDonnell will not be ending a long and loyal association with Oldham.

He joined the club as an 11-year-old and left for just two years to play for Bolton League side Kearsley. And, even though he will not be playing at the Pollards this summer, McDonnell will retain his membership and have an input.

He said: “The lads there have lots of new ideas and I felt it was best to leave them to get on with it.

“Also I have spent so long trying to keep the team going that I just wanted to be able to concentrate on playing cricket and my batting in particular.

“I wish the lads at Oldham well, but I am also looking forward to playing for a Royton side who are clearly on the up.”

Royton skipper Alan Durose, who enjoyed a fruitful first season in charge at the Paddock, will be able to empathise with a player who had a long association with another club.

Durose was a fine servant to Werneth before his move to Royton and he is clearly relishing the arrival of McDonnell, who was handed the honour of captaining the CLL representative side in 2011.

Durose, who said McDonnell will open the batting for Royton, was one of several CLL captains interested in snapping up a player with the ex-Oldham man’s experience and run-scoring ability.

“He is exactly what we have been looking for,” said Durose.
“He has a great record in the CLL and I am sure he will do really well for us.”