Leaders St Annes face Morecambe test
Morecambe's pro Mandla Mashimbyi |
Leaders St Annes are at home to Morecambe in the match of the day this coming Saturday (16 May) in the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating 3D Sports).
Andy Kellett's side emerged victorious from a low-scoring game at Preston last Saturday with key players Atiq Uz-Zaman and Dinuka Hettiarachchi making vital contributions.
Atiq anchored the St Annes batting effort with one of his best innings in the Northern League making 83 not out in his side's 123 for 8. Sri Lankan professional Hettiarachchi then took four wickets and followed up with a five-wicket haul for Monton & Weaste as sub-pro in the Central Lancashire League on Sunday to confirm his good form.
St Annes captain Andy Kellett and Stephen Twist compare notes |
Morecambe's new South African pro Mandla Mashimbyi made his debut in the rain-ruined game at Leyland taking his first two wickets for the club and opening the bowling with Jono Gates. Mashimbyi played as a sub-pro for East Lancashire in the Lancashire League on the Sunday (when ironically he was up against Leyland pro Ameer Khan, sub-pro for Colne) but that game was also rain-affected.
Morecambe's Jono Gates |
Chorley have confirmed that Australian wicket-keeping professional Chris Hartley is on debut for their home game against Fleetwood. Ironically Josh Tolley had an outstanding game behind the timbers in Chorley's win at Barrow, making six catches and also hitting his first 50 of the season. But despite his talents behind the timbers Tolley is something of a reluctant glove-man and may be relieved to hand over the duties to concentrate on his batting.
Chorley's left-arm opening bowler Billy Smith took five wickets at Ernest Pass as Jack Catterall's side made light of being without a bowling professional.But Smith is missing from Saturday's line-up and is replaced by Matt Parry.
Adam Breakell and Tom Wilson are two emerging young players in the Fleetwood side where West Indies U19s player Chesney Hughes has bolstered the side with his batting and left arm spin.
Fleetwood's Adam Breakell |
Blackpool have confirmed the arrival on Thursday of pro Saj Weerakoon for a second stint and he will play against Barrow at Stanley Park. Two Barrow players, Liam Livingstone and Jon Miles have been playing for Cumberland in the MCCA Trophy games. Happily, batsman Robin Adams was released from hospital late on Saturday night after retiring hurt when hit by a bouncer in the eye against Chorley.
Darwen's new South African all rounder David Wiese arrived in the town on Tuesday 12 May and will debut at Carnforth on Saturday. 'David stepped off the 'plane and came straight to nets and got stuck in,' said Darwen captain Andrew Cook. 'His arrival has given everyone at the club a big boost.'
Carnforth have three batsmen in the top eleven run-makers in skipper Darren 'Gary' Moore, the consistent Ryan Nelson and Robert Parker and will be hoping that outstanding left-arm spinner Warren Quinn will continue to be able to commute home for games from London, where he is training to be a stockbroker.
Preston travel to Lune Road to take on a Lancaster side still awaiting the arrival of South African pro Mario Olivier while defending champions Netherfield, after a slow start to the season, have a difficult home game against the consistent Leyland.
Kendal have no game and expect professional and captain Ross McMillan to arrive in time for the May Bank Holiday programme.
Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating 3D Sports)
Fixtures Saturday 16 May
Division One (1pm start)
Blackpool v Barrow
Carnforth v Darwen
Chorley v Fleetwood
Lancaster v Preston
Netherfield v Leyland
St Annes v Morecambe
Kendal no game
Division Two (Second XI) fixtures reversed
