Jones welcomes changes

CONFIDENT: Grant Jones.

Cricket: IT’S been a winter of changes among the playing squad at Huddersfield League Premiership outfit Delph.

Delph has lost popular Zimbabwean star Kevin Hook and Pakistani run-machine Irfan Zahoor, who has left after eight years. But a clutch of new players has arrived at Huddersfield Road.

Andrew Gleave and Johnny Forrester have both made the switch from Lancashire County League outfit Dukinfield.

Gleave (30) is an experienced medium-pace bowler who has played Minor Counties cricket for Cheshire and Cumbria and seen Huddersfield League action at Micklehurst, Barkisland and Holmfirth.

Forrester is another ex-Micklehurst man who will help solidify Delph’s middle order.

Perhaps Delph’s most eye-catching capture is that of top-order batsman and talented leg spinner Greg Buckley. Last season he captained Huddersfield League rivals Kirkburton.

Opening bowler Craig Fletcher is another new recruit from Kirkburton, and finally there is 18-year-old quick bowler Andrew Cadd from Saddleworth League side Austerlands.

With overseas star Jamshad Ahmad also being retained, it’s no wonder club skipper Grant Jones can scarcely wait for the season to start.

“It’s been disappointing losing Irfan and Kevin, but it’s already looking like we’ve more than filled any gaps we had.

“We’ve been in net practise for four weeks and we’re going to be much, much stronger. The batting line-up looks rock solid.”