Heyside backing new pro

HEYSIDE skipper Ryan Barnes is backing new professional Shadley van Schalkwyk to "hit the ground running" in 2014.

The 25-year-old South African, a right-arm medium-fast bowler and left-handed batsman, replaces Namibian Gerrie Snyman, who enjoyed two fine seasons at the reigning Saddleworth and District Cricket League champions.

While Van Schalkwyk plays for Chevrolet Knights and Free State back home, he has plenty of experience on these shores after a two-year spell at Colne in the Lancashire League.

Although Colne finished bottom of the table in 2013 with only one win to their name, the all-rounder was the stand-out performer, scoring 1,028 runs at an average of 44.89 and taking 45 wickets at 27.33.

A product of the Wynberg Boys’ High School in Cape Town, whose roll of honour includes South African legend Jacques Kallis and ex-England batsman Allan Lamb, Van Schalkwyk also boasts creditable first-class figures. He averages almost 28 with the bat and 32.98 with the ball, having claimed 99 victims.

Barnes said: “Shadley arrives in this country two weeks before the start of the season in readiness for our warm-up matches, so he should hit the ground running.

“The feedback from people in the Lancashire League is very positive. He is pretty brisk with the ball, which is something we’ve been missing, and a powerful top-order batsman.”