Northern Premier Cricket League Preview for 2013 season
The 2013 Northern Premier Cricket League campaign gets underway this weekend, and promises to be another competitive and close fought season.
Each team in the league have strengthened with the aim of making a challenge for the forthcoming season.
Defending Champions Fleetwood open with a home game against last season's runners up Barrow.
Fleetwood surprised many last season by winning the league, however this season they face a different pressure in defending their crown.
The off season has been fairly quiet for the defending champions, they have only brought in a new professional in Ian Holland who has already had his first net at the club.
Barrow on the other hand have had a busy winter, seeing some key players depart the team, with Liam Livingstone. Jon Miles and Chris D'Leny all departing, with Chris being out of action due to injury
They have been replaced with ex Cumberland player Dean Williams and ex Garstang batsman Michael Wellings.
The team from Ernest Pass have had problems in getting a professional for the season, the move for Travis Head falling through, whilst most recently the deal for Michael Hill also fell through as Hill sustained an injury which prevented him from playing for the club.
Whilst Barrow continue to search for a Professional they have acquired the services of South African Travis Townsend as Sub Professional for this weekends game
Daryl Wearing takes on the captaincy, as his side will be looking to make a good start in the biggest game of the day.
Kendal host Chorley on Saturday however they will have to do it without Alex Doolan, who arrives next week. In the meantime they have signed up Australian All rounder Daniel Salpietro as their sub pro for the home game. Kendal will also be giving debuts to former Carnforth players, Ryan Nelson,Darren Moore and Adam Cowperthwaite.
Chorley are set to give debuts to former Leyland pairing David Fisher and Ian Dickinson, with team captain Andrew Holdsworth looking for the club to have a good season.
In the other of the games, St Annes host Netherfield at Vernon Road, Andy Kellet's team have made some key signings, in Lukman Vahaluwala from Preston as well as Toby Bulcock as their new professional.
Netherfield travel to Vernon Road with Colin Ackermann making his debut as their professional, They are also giving debuts to Greg Hall and Brad Airey, whilst both Scott Clement and Ryan Wilson will also be starting for a team now captained by Marc Brown.
At Birch Hall Darwen host Lancaster with both sides using sub Professionals, Lancaster acquiring the services of Pieter Malan as professional for the game. Darwen are now being captained by Jordan Clarke with details of their sub professional to follow.
Leyland host Morecambe, with Luis Reece playing his first game as professional for David Makinson's team, Morecambe will have Vishal Tripahti making his debut as their professional.
Preston face two games this weekend hosting Blackpool on Saturday, before entertaining the Lancashire Colts on the Sunday. They have a new captain in Sajid Patel and have Soaib Dukanwala as their professional.
Blackpool give Richard Gleeson his debut as their professional, with Paul Danson captaining the side.
For Divison Two its all change with the games reduced to 45 overs aside, and starting at 12.30.
Defending League champions Leyland beginning their defence at Morecambe.
NORTHERN PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE FIXTURES
OPENING DAY:
20th April 2013
DIVISION ONE:
Wickets Pitched 1-00pm:
Darwen vs Lancaster
Fleetwood vs BarrowKendal vs ChorleyLeyland vs Morecambe
Preston vs Blackpool
St Annes vs Netherfield
21st April 2013
Preston v Lancashire Colts
DIVISION TWO:
Wickets Pitched 12:30:
Barrow v Fleetwood
Blackpool v Preston
Chorley v Kendal
Lancaster v Darwen
Morecambe v Fleetwood
Netherfield v St Annes
