Familiar faces boost Austerlands’ lofty aim

NOT OUT: Saddleworth batsman Steven Howard survives a big appeal from Bamford Fieldhouse wicketkeeper Nick Brierley and slip fielder Simon Wright.

CRICKET:

SUDDENLY Austerlands look top-five material, following the acquisition of Mudassar Butt and Mohammed Naveed.

Returning to Nursery Fields after a decade, the pair have beefed up a first team which on Saturday welcomes prolific wicket-taker Imran Aslam to the ranks.

Butt was third in last season's amateur batting averages, while Naveed has experience at several clubs.

The former also bowls medium-pacers and offers skipper Adam Young yet more variety in a attack that also features seamers Dave Oldfield, Andy Young, Michael Lockett and Andy Cadd.

Austerlands have also signed overseas amateur, Australian Luke Sullivan, who like the club’s pro bowls leg-spin, plus Jack Shaw, once of Greenfield.

“They are all good signings and we are definitely a lot stronger for them,” said Adam, who steered his side to an opening-day win over Butt’s former club Hollinwood.

“Mudassar has had quite a heavy workload in the past with batting and bowling. He is a good top-order player and is another option with the ball.

“As for Imran, we know how good a bowler he is — but people have been raving about his batting in Pakistan, so hopefully he can make some runs for us.”

Aslam, who took many wickets for previous clubs Glodwick and Uppermill, joins the team against Droylsden on Saturday and champions Bamford Fieldhouse on Sunday.