The 2010 Cheshire County Cricket League gets under way this weekend, with three local teams all battling in the same divison once again.
The Chapel Press sponsored league will see Macclesfield, Poynton and Bollington compete in Division One after the Victoria Road club’s relegation from the top flight and Bolly’s domination of Division Two last season.
Macc will be looking to return to the Premier Division at the first time of asking, with a new captain, Tom Parfett captaining the side. Outgoing skipper Barney Cutbill returns to the ranks after three seasons at the helm.
Bowling is likely to be Macc’s strong suit probably be the teams strength, once again led by the much improved Ian Tait. Much will also be expected of Cutbill and Rob Porter and Macc welcome back Craig Melrose, who missed last season due to work commitments.
The batting responsibility is likely to fall on the shoulders of Parfett, ably backed by Ben Morrison, Porter and Khalid Sawas, who had an excellent 2009, scoring 700 league runs at almost 40 an innings. Paul Hughes will keep wicket.
Macc’s local rivals Poynton go into the season with their funds concentrated on improvements at their London Road North base.
Continuity is the key for Poynton this year, with every senior committee member continuing their roles and three of five senior captains also remaining unchanged, the only alteration coming as a result of players moving up a level.
Bollington won Division Two by a massive 60 points from runners-up Middlewich and have recruited Australian all-rounder Aaron Hazlewood for this season.
Hazlewood was one of the New South Wales Country Cricket’s leading lights and he is joined at the Recreation Ground by another new acquisition, former Crewe batsman Joe Boyle.
This Saturday Bolly are at home to Christleton, Macc host Middlewich and Poynton open their season at Grappenhall.
All games are due to start at 12.30pm.
