READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE
Preview April 19th
Easter weekend sees cricket matches countywide as the major leagues begin
their programmes.
In the Readers ECB Premier League, all eyes will be on the newly promoted
teams, Billingborough and Market Rasen.
Billingborough, who first match is at home to Bourne, declared their
intent with the signing of former Lincolnshire , Middlesex and Surrey seamer Jonathan Miles and Australian
Nathan Mill.
But the village side, skippered by David Gollop, will be up against
formidable opposition as the winners of the 2013 Winkworth Cup bring back a
familiar face from the early days of the league.
As a student in Grantham, West Indian Neval Grazette quickly made his
mark for both Grantham and Boston and now returns as Bourne’s overseas signing.
Fellow newcomers Market Rasen, with Matt Rutherford at the helm, face an
equally hard game at Jubilee Park against last year’s league runners-up, Woodhall Spa..
Prasanna Jayawardene’s recall to the Sri Lankan squad, which the player
credits to his season at Woodhall, means he may not appear in the league this
season but prolific batsman Ben O’ Brien returns and the home side are hoping
to unveil a replacement overseas player shortly.
However, a good number of the Rasen team – including the captain - have
ECB League experience and will be eagerly anticipating the challenge.
League champions Sleaford, who travel to Lindum, will welcome the return
of record breaking Kiwi batsman Tim McIntosh whose 1203 runs helped his side to
2013 success.
A number of Lindum players have spent the winter in Melbourne and have repaid
that hospitality by bringing over two of their team mates to boost their 1st
and 2nd XIs. Jonny Miller’s
side have also signed Sam Fuller from Fenner CC in Hull .
Skegness travel to Bracebridge Heath with a new captain, Norman Brackley,
and a number of fresh faces. The
seasiders suffered a blow with the late withdrawal of overseas signing Dylan
Stanley through injury but welcome the arrival of Scott Tallott, a member of
the New Zealand Under-19 squad. The 17
year old, who has played Premier Club cricket, will solve the Skegness
wicketkeeping problems and add fire to their batting line-up.
Bracebridge also field a changed team, having lost Vikram Atri and David Whapplington
but with Paul Cook continuing as captain and stalwarts Nick John and Brett
Houston in the side, Skegness face a hard game.
Having survived their first season in the top flight, Spalding go into
the season with renewed confidence.
Warren Nel continues at the top of the batting order and skipper Rob
Ambrose is promising some surprises among their new signings.
Travelling to Spalding are Market Deeping who finished fifth last year
and will once again be challenging for honours under the continuing captaincy
of David Gillett.
Fixtures – 12 o’ clock
start
Billingborough v Bourne
Bracebridge Heath v Skegness
Lindum v Sleaford
Louth v Grimsby
Spalding v Market Deeping
Woodhall Spa v Market Rasen
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