Young guns are going for it!

Austerlands’ overseas amateur Cameron Roxby has been getting his captain’s praise

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CAPTAIN Adam Young says he has the strongest Austerlands team for years – and he has good reason to back up his claim.

The Thorpe Lane outfit caused a big upset last Sunday when they beat second-placed Moorside.

In the reverse fixture 24 hours earlier, they pushed their Whit double-header rivals to the wire before losing by two wickets.

Young reckons those performances show Austerlands’ capabilities - and insists the league’s remaining 17 matches are enough to see his team climb into the top five.

Over a hectic weekend – they face three games, including the first round of the Pro Elite Sports Twenty20 Competition - he is hoping his men can maintain their current momentum.

"Confidence is really high, and that is feeding down to the club's second team, who have put together a good run of results,” Young said.

"It was a fantastic win against Moorside, but we were disappointed the previous day when we had them eight down. We've got plenty of bowling options and can bat all the way down, which bodes well."

Young believes good times are just around the corner for the club’s Pakistani pro Asif Zakir.

"He is a quality player and his record speaks for itself," said the Austerlands skipper. "I am convinced he is going to come good soon. By the end of the season, he'll have between 800 and 1,000 runs under his belt."

The league's annual T20 slog-fest gets under way tonight, with Austerlands away to Whalley Range.

Heyside, the holders, are at home to Stayley in the tie of the round.

This weekend's league action sees leaders Glodwick make the trip to second-bottom South West Manchester tomorrow, while they host Droylsden on Sunday.

Moorside will a victory at home to Whalley Range and at Wythenshawe.

Glodwick's nearest rivals, Uppermill, visit both Greenfield and Saddleworth.