Milnrow Cricket Club heading into new season with real optimism

Milnrow Cricket Club

Milnrow Cricket Club is heading into the new season in the CLL Championship with real optimism and the clear aim of promotion to the CLL Premier League.

New skipper Max Power will lead a young team that is determined to improve on last season’s fourth place. Power finished top of last season’s batting averages in the Championship and his proven class and experience will be vital to the further development of a talented crop of young players emerging through the club. These young players are all showing increasing maturity to go with their talent and all at the club are looking forward to a successful season.

Declan Wilkinson, 19, has recently arrived home after a successful spell in Melbourne, Australia, during the winter and is looking to maintain his place near the top of the bowling averages as well as continue his progress as a batsman. His developing ability and success will be supported by young players such as Joe Wilson, Alex Bartley, Rob Wilman and Aaron Brown who all enjoyed moments of success last season and will continue to progress in 2015. They are all aiming to be more consistently successful at this level and all cannot wait for the new season to start.

Other young players are now pushing for places in the team and experienced watchers at the club believe that Alex Willis and Charlie Lloyd-Jones can break into the First XI and make telling contributions with bat and ball.

Milnrow have made an important signing in the wicketkeeping department with the arrival of Lee Crabtree from Rochdale CC. Lee has settled in quickly at the club and his skills with the gloves will help sustain the push for promotion.

Lee Storey will bring consistent quality in the bowling department and it is hoped that Jonathan Storey will return from injury and make similar contributions to the many he has made over the years at the club. The club was disappointed to see the captain of the last two seasons, Nathan Sinkinson, join Royton but there remains a strong core of developing players all looking to go well this season.

James Price, of Eastern Province, South Africa has been signed as professional following the disappointing news in February that last year’s professional, Rudi Second, would not be returning for a second season. Second has been selected for South Africa A and his domestic team, the Chevrolet Knights, has qualified for the World Twenty 20 Champions League. He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the club. The club has acted quickly to secure the skills of James Price, distant relation of former Norden professional Michael Price, and are confident that he will have a big impact this season. A powerful right handed batsman, who has represented South Africa at under 19 level, he has scored almost 2,000 runs in first class cricket in South Africa yet has only just turned 23. He also strengthens Milnrow’s bowling attack for this season with his fast medium bowling.

The bowling attack has been further strengthened with the addition of overseas amateur player, Brandon Diplock. He brings additional pace to the attack and it is hoped that the increase in variety amongst the bowling will make Milnrow a more resilient team in 2015 and one that will be tough to beat.

The club approaches the new season with optimism and enthusiasm. Club Chairman Colin Williamson said: “We can see real progress throughout the club. Our junior section is thriving and the work that has been put in over the last few years is starting to bear real fruit. We have the talent and ability to compete strongly in the CLL Championship and Wood Cup and everyone at the club can’t wait to get the 2015 season started”.