Cricket: Kettleborough joins Iqbal at Heywood

James Kettleborough joins Heywood Cricket Club

Heywood Cricket Club will have a new addition to the first team as former Northants and Glamorgan batsman James Kettleborough has signed for the coming season.

The 26-year-old made his first-class debut for Northants in 2014 and made his List A debut against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford that same year. He went on to play for Glamorgan and spent last summer playing for Derbyshire 2nd XI. He continues to play minor counties cricket but will be available for selection at Crimble.

Kettleborough joins former Pakistan international Faisal Iqbal at the club and will help replace the loss of some senior players following the departures of Travis Townsend, Andy Kerr and Danny Pawson over the winter.

New captain, Sean Burrill, is looking forward to the new signing joining up with the squad.

He said: “James is an experienced cricketer and is a good age to fit in with our other players.

“He has first class experience and will be playing plenty of minor counties cricket which we hope will give him every chance to perform well for us.

“We are really excited to have James and Faisal add to our batting.”

Cricket Chairman Roger Smethurst was also pleased to welcome Kettleborough to Heywood: “We were keen to sign someone who would not only bolster our batting line up but also could offer some support to the younger players as they continue their development and James can be a great addition in this regard.

“Alongside Faisal he will be invaluable at training and in supporting Sean and the players in not only their technical development but also in how the team approaches matches and how we play our cricket.

“I am sure I speak for all our supporters in wishing James every success at the club.”

Heywood get underway with friendlies against Lancashire Under 19s on 13 April and Middleton Cricket Club on 14 of April, both at Crimble, before the league action starts the following weekend.