CJ takes over for last season's runners-up
Greg Platten returns for a second season at Barrow
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County wicketkeeper CJ (Chris) D'Leny takes charge at Barrow Cricket Club as they look to go one step further than last season's runners-up spot in the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls) despite losing two top batsmen in Jonathan Miles and Darren Clark.
D'Leny takes over from Daryl Wearing who has stepped down from the captaincy due to family commitments. Wearing, though, will continue to front the opening attack alongside fellow Cumberland bowler Graham Dawson.
"I'm very excited, it's a big challenge and one I'm looking forward towards," says D'Leny who has represented Cumberland on several occasions. "It's disappointing to have lost two top players but the lads have been training hard and have had some good sessions."
Barrow have lost the services of opening batsman Miles who has joined Kendal and Clark who has returned to his old club Cleator while Club Chairman Ray Mowat has announced his retirement to concentrate on a coaching role at the club.
Miles broke his own club amateur batting record in 2010 hitting 878 runs at 46.21 when he formed arguably the best opening partnership in the league alongside Greg Platten who hit 736 runs at 36.80.
"Both players obviously had their reasons for going and we wish them well," says D'Leny. "On the plus side it means that the rest of the players will move one or two places up in the batting order this year and will be aiming to make the most of the opportunities.
"Greg did really well last season in his first year at the club since leaving Cockermouth and also earned Cumberland selection. We are delighted that he has decided to stay despite offers elsewhere. And it's a big year for Iain Kermode who played some crucial innings batting at 7 or 8 last year who will get more of a chance this year. Graham Dawson knows he didn't score as many runs as he should have done last year and he he has a big part to play as an all-rounder."
A few weeks ago Barrow announced their new professional to replace long-serving Pasan Wanasinghe; the popular Sri Lankan left the club last season after four years and is succeeded by a talented young South African. Highly-rated Pieter Malan is due to arrive at Ernest Pass in time for the start of the season for his first professional engagement in the UK.
Malan, aged 21, is a top-order batsman top order batsman for the Titans franchise who also captains Northerns when his Titans commitments allow. A former South African Schools and Under-19s representative who has also been a member of the national academy, Malan has an impressive pedigree. He also bowls right arm medium pace.
Recently Malan made 158 batting for Northerns against Eastern Province at Pretoria playing alongside former Fleetwood pro Rassie van der Dussen and ex-Lancaster pro Mario Olivier.
Born in Nelspruit, Transvaal Malan made his first-class debut in 2007 and was a member of the South African side that reached the final of the Under-19s World Cup in 2008, losing to India in Kuala Lumpur.
"I've been in regular touch with Pieter, as have several of the lads and he is raring to go," says D'Leny. "Looking at his stats and from talking to other players he looks the real deal. He's a young player with a really good pedigree and I know he can't wait to get here. He'll fit in really well with the ethos at the club."
Lancashire Academy squad member Liam Livingstone has been appointed as D'Leny's vice captain. "Liam has a big year ahead of him but he thrives on pressure and I'm sure the added responsibility will spur him on," adds D'Leny. "He's a really talented cricketer who thinks a lot about the game and he has a big part to play for us this season."
Ian Allington takes over the crucial job as Second XI captain with Greg Reynolds returning to the club and all-rounder Lee Hogg joining from Vickerstown CC.
"Ian is respected by everyone at the club and will do a superb job," D'Leny says. "There are a lot of talented young players between the ages of 13 and 18 at the club who will be the backbone of the First XI in the years to come and Ian is the ideal man to nurture them."
Wicketkeeper CJ D'Leny and bowler Liam Livingstone are in charge at Barrow in 2011
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