South African bowler Barends signs on at Parkside Road
County batsman Marc Brown has joined Netherfield from Carlisle |
Netherfield have confirmed their professional for 2011 with a little help from their friends.
South African Brady Barends, a 22-year-old right-arm opening bowler will be making his professional debut in this country on the strong recommendation of former Netherfield pro Dale Benkenstein.Barends, who only made his first-class debut last season for KwaZulu-Natal is rated as one of the country's best prospects and has enjoyed a fine season so far in 2010-11.
In first-class games he has taken 33 wickets at a shade over 23. Included in that haul was a sensational return of 9 for 68 in his side's victory over Northerns at Pietermaritzburg. Barends took the first nine wickets to fall in the second innings but was denied the rare feat of capturing all ten when the last wicket fell to teammate Kyle Nipper. The Northerns side, incidentally, included former Fleetwood pro Rassie van der Dussen.
The scorecard can be found here:
http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/300/300300.html
Barends' Cricket Archive profile is here:
http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/392/392211/392211.html
Barends bats down the order for his state team but is expected to bat in the middle order for Netherfield.
Commenting on the signing Netherfield CC secretary Ian Heath said: "Having lost Ryan Wilson to a shoulder injury that has probably finished his career and Scot Clement at the start of last season it was felt that we needed much more of a bowling Pro this coming season. Dale recommended him and tips him to play for South Africa within the next three years."
Netherfield have also strengthened their batting with the addition of Cumberland CCC batsman Marc Brown.
Brown was a mainstay of the Carlisle CC side in the North Lancashire & Cumbria League making 771 runs at an average of 51.40 last season when he also made his County debut. He is currently playing club cricket in Melbourne alongside Netherfield players Alex Atkinson and Ollie Hill.
Netherfield Second XI wicketkeeper Shane Hyland has left the Club to return to Kendal while Tom Barton, last season's Second XI skipper will be available only occasionally due to family and business commitments. Graham Baker may miss the whole season after sustaining a knee injury playing football but Wasif Zaman has returned.
Chris Parry will captain the First XI and Shane Dixon takes charge of the Seconds
(Thanks to David Otway and Ian Heath for the information)
Shane Dixon is Netherfield Second XI captain in 2011 |
