Big year for Darwen in Centenary season
Professional Mohammad Zaman Khan returns for a second season
|
It's a big year for Darwen Cricket Club as they celebrate their Centenary and for Captain John Cordingley.
Cordingley gets married later in the year but is putting wedding bells to the back of his mind as he plans the strategy for an important season for the club.
"It's a huge year for Darwen, a chance to make some money for the club, have lots of events and really engage with the local community," Cordingley says. "It all starts this coming Sunday when our local MP, Jake Berry will be unveiling the Centenary flag in a ceremony at Birch Hall.
"We have lots of events planned throughout the year and it should be a really busy and fulfilling time on and off the field."
Darwen finished fourth in 2010 and also lifted the Readers Cup and with the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls) title race wide open this year could easily challenge for top honours.
Cordingley has a settled squad at his disposal bolstered by some of the area's top young talent. Fast bowler Yakub Bhamji is part of the Lancashire Academy set-up, all-rounder Kamran Anwar, fresh from taking 50 league wickets in 2010 has been invited for trials with Cumberland CCC while Alex Davies has just returned from his first tour with the England Under 17s squad to South Africa.
Davies, aged 16, made an outstanding 143 against the Eastern Province U19s team to underline his potential. Despite being troubled by a thigh injury Davies also had knocks of 45 and 47 and kept wicket impressively. He is now hoping to be included in the England U18s squad for a triangular tournament in Ireland in July and also face the touring South Africa side for England U19s in August.
"Alex is an outstanding talent and we are all behind him," says Cordingley. "But we have many up and coming players at the club. Niall Burke, for instance, has spent the winter playing in Australia and will have benefitted from that experience.
"Last year was a good year with the Readers Cup win the highlight. But we are hoping to build on that. We need to get our batting more consistent as, bowling wise, we are as good as any team in the league."
Crompton based professional Mohammad Zaman Khan will return for a second season after hitting 965 league runs and 1,600 in all competitions.
"Zimmy is a consistent runs-scorer who knows how to play league cricket," Cordingley says. "He enjoys playing at Darwen and knows how much potential we have as a club. I'm looking for another big season from him."
Experienced batsman Chris Lowe will have restricted availability as he prepares for a triathlon competition but that is counterbalanced by the return of Cordingley the Elder, league legend Gareth joining brothers John and Neil for another season after having a sabbatical in 2010.
Gareth Cordingley has joined the illustrious band of cricketers to reach 10,000 league runs with 10,181 runs at an average of 33.94 in a Darwen career dating back to 1988 and will be a crucial member of the side in an important year for the club.
Gary Jackson will again take on the key role of Second XI captain.
Darwen captain John Cordingley has a big year ahead
|
