Crompton upbeat as Louis returns

CARL TAYLOR

CRICKET:
CROMPTON go into Sunday’s Championship derby against Royton in confident mood following back-to-back wins.

After losing two and drawing one of their first three fixtures, Crompton’s pre-season optimism was starting to wane. That changed after comfortable dismissals of Radcliffe and Ashton.

With overseas amateur Denis Louis returning to the team, Crompton will field their strongest side of the season.

They will also bring in left-handed opening batsman Sam Cheshire, a Birmingham-based friend of professional Michael Pote, so table-topping Royton should brace themselves for a stern test.

Crompton skipper Carl Taylor said: “Anything can happen in local derby matches and we did manage to beat them at their place last season. I am really looking forward to it.

“They are obviously batting very well, but we are bowling sides out so it has all the ingredients for a good game.

“Denis has arrived on the back of a good season in the West Indies. He hit quite a few hundreds and looks fitter and sharper. His bowling has also gained a yard of pace so it might be a waste to put him behind the stumps again. His bowling could well come in useful and he has a laser arm in the field.”

Taylor’s unbeaten 50 at Radcliffe sealed victory, while his brother Danny had a fine weekend with the ball, taking 13 wickets.

“He bowled a great line and length and got his rewards,” said the skipper. “And we never dropped a catch. If you do that, you always have a chance.”

Catches will need to be taken, particularly if offered by Royton’s dynamic Aussie duo Ben Dunk and Chris Hutchinson, who both made unbeaten centuries last weekend.

Similar sentiments apply to Oldham and Werneth, who clash at the Pollards.

Oldham recorded their first two victories of the season last weekend, seeing off Ashton and Unsworth on away turf.

Rashid Hussain’s side have home advantage this time, but second-placed Werneth – who suffered their first defeat of the campaign at Royton on Sunday – will prove a tough nut to crack.