Denton West Cricket Club

 
2018 Preview

2018 Preview

18 Apr 2018

At last the season is here ...the sun is shining ( at the moment anyway !! ) and we start this weekend saturday 21st

Mike Berry our first team captain previews the season here ....

 

            After 2 mid table finishes since the formation of the GMCL Premier League, Denton West 1st XI will be looking to push on in 2018 and try and replicate some of their more recent cup success. The LKO victory of 2016 highlights just what the team can do when they are performing at their best. Incoming captain Mike Berry will be looking to get the consistency in the team to perform week in week out.

 

The 1st XI make-up has changed somewhat over the winter, but one constant is the amount of West juniors who are representing the first team. The new season will give opportunity for youngsters Liam Kilburn, Max Cole, Conor Woolley, John Mcallister, John Barnett and Luke Melling to continue to improve in the team. There are also a number of lads knocking on the door in the 2nd team looking for a way in. They will all have a year more experience and be ready to influence games more consistently. Old heads in previous captain Andy O’Brien and returning captain Mike Berry will be there to offer experience in the big games that seem to come every week in the GMCL. Nick Doyle is also back in contention after a serious wrist injury.

 

In terms of new faces the big news from Windsor Park is the signing of Zimbabwe international Blessing Muzarabani (21) for the 2018 season. Blessing made his test match debut versus South Africa over the winter and was a key player in Zimbabwe’s ICC World Cup qualifying matches. He is a tall opening bowler and handy batsman who boasts scalps including the West Indies’ Chris Gayle. Blessing arrives ready for the first game of the season and is a very exciting prospect for the club. The players are really excited to rub shoulders with a current international player and he should have a big influence on the junior section.

 

West also have now welcomed Chris Stevenson (19) who arrived from Johannesburg last Thursday. Stevo has settled in really well and has been looking a great addition to the squad. He has already been coaching our next crop of juniors on a Monday night. He himself is a slow left arm bowler and opening batsman.

 

The final signing of the winter was Dale Pennington who has joined from Glossop. Dale previously was club professional at Denton CC and is a proven performer. His attitude towards cricket should fit in perfectly with the West team ethic.

 

West start their campaign away at Roe Green CC at 12.30pm on April 21st. Their first home game follows on April 28th against Woodbank CC. They have also been handed interesting cup draws. In the Derek Kay Cup old foes Glossop will visit Windsor Park and in a repeat of last years LKO tie Liverpool Competition big hitters Bootle will travel to take on the 2016 champions in round 1 of the Lancashire Knockout.

 

After a disappointing finish last year when the season faded away somewhat , our 2nd team is currently looking  strong  again and with the addition of Matty Burton after a few seasons away from cricket , and the return of Jon Foreman providing some much needed experience they will be looking to compete on all fronts once again . Gareth is again optimistic about the teams chances and hoping that  his team can push for silverware , with the lads continue to improve and push for first team cricket in the near future .

 

Both Mike and Gareth would appreciate all the support you can offer and look forward to some great days down at Windsor Park this season .