OPENING GAMES PREVIEWED IN LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER

A number of familiar faces return to the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League for the 2013 season, WRITES ANN BOULTON.

Former top batsman Warren Nel has left the Nottinghamshire Premier League to join newly-promoted Spalding while Charlie Tomlinson, who has had several seasons with Cleethorpes in the Yorkshire League, heads back to Lindum.

And a second Cleethorpes player, Stuart Airey, who also had a spell with Bracebridge Heath, will be playing at Bourne.

Also returning to the league with Spalding are Tim and Steve Norris and Rob Ambrose who skippers the side – all last seen when Long Sutton played in the league - while Stella Norris is now secretary and scorer.

In addition, Spalding field former Market Deeping brothers Charlie and Michael Kearns and have prepared for the first season in the top flight by signing batsman Jack Barrett from Moulton Harrox.

But the talking point of the new season is the appearance of two internationals.  Woodhall Spa clinched the deal of the year with the signing of Sri Lankan wicketkeeper/batsman Prasanna Jayawardene while Sleaford pulled off a coup by securing the services of New Zealand batsman Tim McIntosh who has a Test century against West Indies to his name.

Woodhall have stated that Jayawardene, scorer of almost 2,000 runs and four centuries in 52 Tests for his country, will play as a batsman as the club keeps faith with last year’s award-winning young wicketkeeper Jack Hughes.

The signing of Jonathan Cheer from Boston further strengthens the Woodhall line-up which will be skippered for the fifth year by Jack Luffman assisted by vice-captain Matthew Sargeant while newly appointed head coach Paul Timby will work with Jayawardene in developing the Woodhall Spa Academy.

Woodhall’s opening match is away to Bracebridge Heath who have added off spinner/batsman Matt Carter to their squad, having lost Jonathan Darke who has moved to Kent.

Skegness have a had busy winter, appointing last year’s 2^nd XI opening bat Richie Hewitt as 1^st XI captain and signing Dan Milgate and Ricky Lovelace from Woodhall Spa and wicketkeeper Matthew Hood from Boston.  From Australia comes seam bowler Sean Williams, who has a British passport and 17-year-old batsman/off-spinner Jarrod Hoskins.

Two New Zealanders are heading for Hartsholme - seam bowling all-rounder Richard Genge and 18 year old Tim Brown – while Grimsby have opted for an Australian quickie to replace Carl Taylor.

Joel Hamilton currently plays alongside fast bowler Ryan Harris in Brisbane and will be partnered fast bowler Charles Wright who has moved to Augusta Street from Woodhall Spa.

Slow bowlers have also been in skipper Jim Morgan’s sights, resulting in the acquisition of Harry Clewett from Cleethorpes and South Kelsey’s Connor Hawkins.  Completing the new faces at Grimsby is Bracebridge Heath batsman Ross Carnelley.

Champions Haxey have opted for a Pakistani bowler to replace Chintaka Perera who is sidelined for the season following a foot operation and have also secured the services of Barton’s Ashley Hooper and Dominic Bishop from Caistor.

Louth’s overseas player, 24 year old Azeem Ghumman is also from Pakistan and Market Deeping have signed 18 year old Ben Willemsen from Otago in New Zealand.

Deeping travel to league newcomers Spalding while league champions Haxey begin their season with a home fixture against Hartsholme.

Saturday, April 20 opening fixtures – 12 noon start

Bracebridge Heath v Woodhall Spa                     

Louth v Grimsby                                    

Haxey v Hartsholme                                          

Skegness v Lindum                                           

Bourne v Sleaford                                              

Spalding v Market Deeping