Saddleworth Cricket preview

RYAN NURSE. . . key figure for Stayley this season.

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IN the final part of his preview to the 2013 Versasteel Saddleworth and District Cricket League season — which starts on Sunday — KEVIN RICHARDSON focuses on the remaining seven clubs.


Moorside

Captain: Lloyd Kingston; Professional: Stephan Grobler (South Africa); Overseas amateur: Francois Mostert (South Africa); Last season: 3rd



WITH pro Stefan Grobler and overseas amateur Francois Mostert returning for a second stint at Turf Pit Lane, Moorside seem nailed-on for a top-five slot again.

The South Africans played a big part in lifting the fortunes of a club that had been underachieving massively.

Grobler arrives fresh from playing and coaching in New Zealand while Mostert, who scored a ton and bagged 63 wickets in his debut season in the league, has enjoyed winter back home with Pretoria High School Old Boys.

One face missing from the Moorside ranks is seamer Lee Warburton, now in New Zealand.

But with Glen McFadyean back in the ranks, Moorside have a like-for-like replacement who probably offers a bit more with the bat.

One new face is all-rounder Craig Taylor, from Oldham.


Saddleworth

Captain: Brian Lord; Professional: Peter Skuse (Australia); Overseas amateur: Josh Butler (Australia); Last season: 7th



MARK Brylowski, a shining light for Micklehurst in 2012, has free-wheeled along the B6175 to Saddleworth.

The all-rounder — he bowls medium pace and bats middle-order — is a notable addition to the Well-i-Hole club, but familiar names have departed.

Wicketkeeper Brian Lord, who skippered the side at the back end of last season, doesn’t have the know-how of former Moorside pro Quasier Rashid and bowler Steve Holmes, the latter having joined Middleton. James Chamberlain has signed for Uppermill.

The youngest captain in the Saddleworth League at 23, Brian can call on the likes of Peter Skuse, overseas amateur Josh Butler, Danny Hesford, Ben Willis, Steve Howard and Ryan McGrath, who is expected to play a full part this season following illness in 2012.

A two-game ban for an offence last season means Lord won’t be able to play until April 28. Willis takes charge in his absence.


Stayley

Captain: Ronnie Cameron; Professional: Kamran Hussain (Pakistan); Overseas amateur: Ryan Nurse (West Indies); Last season: 10th



WITH the 15-over rule this season, Stayley can’t rely on their pro and overseas amateur to bowl for the majority of the innings. So Kamran Hussain’s work-load will be much reduced — he bowled 299 overs last term, more than any other pro. Similarly Ryan Nurse won’t work as hard as the man he has replaced, Usman Malvi, who bowled 275 overs — more than any other amateur.

Skipper Ronnie Cameron will look to Steve Downend, Stuart Mellor, Ryan Downend and himself to fill in.

While Nurse aids the batting, Cameron has to adjust to the loss of Steve Bird to Heyside. Not only did Bird form a key part of Stayley’s middle-order, he also worked hard behind the scenes.


Uppermill

Captain: Matt Taylor; Professional: Darren Shadford (England); Overseas amateur: None; Last season: 2nd



IN the last five seasons, consisent Uppermill hav finished second, first, third, second and fourth. Matt Taylor, back as captain after wicketkeeper Alex Griffiths stepped down, would settle for another finish in the top five after the loss of several first-team regulars.

Heading to Leefields are Dave Roberts, who has had spells at Bamford Fieldhouse and Crompton, and James Chamberlain, who has switched from Saddleworth.

Medium-pacer Andy Jones has been promoted from the seconds and will be line to open bowling. Taylor, free of back problems, will also see plenty of the ball, as will second-in-command Mark Lees, spinner James Baron and pro Darren Shadford.

“A place in the top five would be a good achievement,” said Taylor, who is preparing Lees with a view to being captain in 2014.


Hollinwood

Captain: Shakeel Saddique; Professional: None; Overseas amateur: None; Last season: 5th



TWO becomes one at Lime Lane as the club’s second team has stepped up following a mass exodus of players.

The likes of Mudassar Butt, Shahid Naseer, and Aamir Afzal — each among last season’s top 10 amateurs batsmen, and leg-spinner Rashid Khan have moved on.

Shakeel Saddique remains to captain the side, which includes Saddleworth League regulars Steve Leigh and Lenny Arshad.

Seam bowler Mohammed Shazad leads the attack; ex-Moorside player Kashif Khan is a useful middle-order batsman on his day and Mohammed Kamran is capable with bat and ball.

With money tight — financial efforts are being concentrated on keeping the cricket section viable — there’s no pro nor overseas amateur.


Micklehurst

Captain: Craig Lawrence; Professional: None; Overseas amateur: None; Last season: 14th



BEN Johnson is back at Micklehurst to lift to both the batting and bowling departments.

The well-travelled all-rounder offers many years of experience.

Craig Lawrence is again in charge, and hoping to avoid picking up the wooden spoon for the second season running. One setback is the loss of Mark Brylowski to Saddleworth.



Shaw

Captain: Mark Ingham; Professional: TBC; Overseas amateur: None; Last season: 9th



JOE Whitehead and former Oldham player Adnan Shafiq will open batting for Shaw in 2013.

The club has leads regarding a pro, but time is running out. There is no overseas amateur du to cost. Andy Young has moved back to Austerlands and club veteran Dave Andrew has retired.

Ingham will be captain, and he will look to batsman Abdul Fazil to build on his promising first season at Holebottom Clough.

Rick Harrington and Anthony Edden will also be charged with making runs.