Colts face Kiwi World Cup ace Jamie How on Sunday
Atiq Uz-Zaman- first century of the season
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Netherfield face an early season test of their title credentials.
It comes from a bowler who was bowling out sides long before many of their present day team were in nappies.
Chris Parry's side have reached the summit of the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (in association with Readers Cricket Balls) despite still waiting for pro Brady Barends to arrive.
On Saturday they face a Carnforth side without pro Gareth Pedder who is unavailable for the next two games. Adam Hornby's side has turned to a local league legend as Pedder's replacement- 64-year-old Mel Whittle who retired last season after capturing 100 league wickets for Oldham in the Central Lancashire League.
Whittle, who won the CLL bowling prize in 2010, is one of the finest English bowlers ever to play league cricket and has captured 100 wickets in a season in three different leagues, the Bolton League, Saddleworth League and CLL. He briefly played for Blackpool earlier in his career but is perhaps best remembered for his time at Kearsley in the Bolton League.
The silver tongue of former Carnforth Chairman Mark Holmes tempted Whittle out of his short-lived retirement when Carnforth were faced with finding a 'like-for-like' replacement for Pedder who has not played first-class cricket. Under league rules Carnforth could not replace Pedder with a player who has played at a higher level of cricket.
Whittle will also deputise for Carnforth in their game at Chorley.
Lancashire Colts began their season with back-to-back victories over Fleetwood and champions Leyland at the weekend. They face Kendal on Sunday at Shap Road. Kendal pro Jamie How is due to arrive on Thursday afternoon having represented New Zealand in the World Cup and will make his debut against the Colts.
The Lancashire Colts team which won at Champions Leyland on Monday
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Blackpool pro Con de Lange has arrived after undergoing back surgery but may miss his side's game against Preston as he is a week or so away from full fitness. Richard Gleeson who made his Cumberland one-day debut in last Sunday's game at Neston against Cheshire is hoping to return after being injured in that game.
Barrow pro Pieter Malan made a century and took four wickets for Colne in the Lancashire League in a sub-pro role on Sunday to confirm his growing reputation. His side plays a Darwen side whose wicketkeeping/batsman Alex Davies has been playing for Lancashire Seconds this week.
Chorley, fresh from a fine win at Morecambe play Lancaster who have already earned two wins so far this season. Chorley pro Gaurav Dhar has already been among the wickets as Andy Holdsworth makes a fine job of his triple role of wicketkeeper, opening bat and captain.
Fleetwood entertain a St Annes side for whom Atiq Uz-Zaman made his first hundred of the season, 122 at Darwen on Monday. Leyland are at home to Morecambe with former Croston all rounder Ian Dickinson pressing his claims for a first team place after heavy scoring in the Seconds.
Ian Dickinson has been scoring heavily for Leyland seconds
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In a busy weekend St Annes are at home to Saddleworth League side Uppermill on Sunday in the LCB Lancashire Cup.
St Annes and Kendal have already made progress in the ECB National Club Championship whilst Chorley suffered a controversial exit at Prestwich. Barrow did not enter but nine other Northern League sides are in action on Sunday.
Blackpool visit Farnworth Social Circle, Carnforth are at Highfield, Preston travel to Wavertree and Leyland are at Bradshaw.
Fleetwood entertain Bootle, Darwen are at home to Neston, Lancaster are at home to Alder and in the only all Northern League tie Morecambe play Netherfield.
A reminder that league news is regularly updated on Twitter at NPCLGE.
Blackpool's Richard Gleeson bowling for Cumberland against Cheshire last Sunday
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Fixtures, Saturday 7th May 2011 (Round Five)
Furness Building Society Northern Premier Division (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls)
Division One (1pm start)
Barrow v Darwen
Chorley v Lancaster
Fleetwood v St Annes
Leyland v Morecambe
Netherfield v Carnforth
Preston v Blackpool
Sunday 8th May
Division One (1pm start)
Kendal v Lancashire Colts
Division Two (2nd XI, 1pm start)
Blackpool v Preston
Carnforth v Netherfield
Darwen v Barrow
Lancaster v Chorley
Morecambe v Leyland
St Annes v Fleetwood
Kendal free date
