News

Perfect ten - Graeme into the record books with all the wickets

Here's a question for you.

How do you improve on individual game figures of 61 not out and 9 wickets ? "With great difficulty..." would be a normal reply, I would guess.

Not so for Graeme Thomason it would appear. After a remarkable game against Huyton on Bank Holiday Monday, when GT excelled with both bat and ball, he produced an extraordinary unique lifetime follow-up performance just five days later when he not only hammered a breathtaking 76 in 63 balls but then proceeded to pick up ALL TEN Burscough wickets for just 12 runs.

Superlatives abounded on Saturday as the 21-year-old, who at his own admission was low on bowling confidence just a few weeks ago, went through the bemused Burscough batters at will to rip up the history books. Backed up by some sharp catching, he used the wicket perfectly to give the opposition an absolute torrid time. He bowled three double-wicket overs, is on a hat-trick when he bowls next time for the seconds, and had spells of five wickets and then four wickets for no runs at various times during his 12.4 overs (6 maidens).

Needless to say, Graeme's superhuman efforts led Leigh’s Second XI to a convincing 149-run victory which propelled them back into 2nd place in the league with just two games to go.

Batting first, Leigh posted 201 for 5 wickets in just short of 41 overs. Will Banner, Kieran Grundy and Sam Baldwin all made good contributions before Thomason's blast secured maximum bonus points at the declaration. Burscough were bundled out for 52 and the only time that Thomason's record ever looked to be in any danger was when Grundy enticed an early and very difficult chance to gulley, where it was put down by... guess who!

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England call-up honours as Joe Davies is picked for national side

Leigh Cricket Club’s young wicket-keeping star, Joe Davies, has been selected to represent his country at Under-15 level following his recent wonder showing in the prestigious ESCA Under-15’s Bunbury Festival at Sedbergh.

Joe has been named in the 14-man England squad for its upcoming games later this month, including a fixture at the home of cricket, Lords, in recognition of his four almost faultless performances behind the stumps for the successful North of England team at the festival, a tournament which brings together the country’s best 52 young cricketers at this age group.

Speaking on Sky Sports following his selection, Joe said:

"I'm very proud of it (his selection), it's a huge honour for me. To represent the whole country is something I never imagined when I started playing cricket, so to come to this point, I think I've come a long way and am really proud. Hopefully I can do my best to represent the country as well as possible."

The former Roe Green player collected his England cap from ECB Chief Executive, David Collier, in front of a packed audience, which included his proud parents, Bill and Sarah, and Leigh colleague, Mattie McKiernan, a team mate in the North of England squad, in the magnificent main hall at Sedbergh School.

He continues a recent proud tradition of Leigh juniors who have been selected for their country whilst at the club, in the same way that Gareth Cross and Steven Mullaney, both of whom are now on the full-time staff at Lancashire CCC, earned junior England caps whilst playing with Leigh over recent years.

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Mattie & Joe picked for North England U-15s

Congratulations to Leigh's youngsters Mattie McKiernan and Joe Davies on their selection for the North of England Under-15 squad for the upcoming Bunbury ESCA Festival at Sedburgh School. The festival takes place during the week commencing 21st July 2008.

Leg-pinner Mattie has been chosen as the only "year-young" player in the squad and Joe is the first choice wicket-keeper. Both are making their third consecutive annual appearance in the North's colours at this age group, and they join four other Lancashire collegues in the thirteen-strong squad.

The festival, now in its twenty-second year, is the brainchild of musical impresario David English. For many years, David has raised countless sums of money for worthy causes throughout the country via his charity cricket team, and is considered to be a breeding ground for a conveyor belt of young cricketing talent that has gone on to represent the senior England XI.

No less than forty-one former Bunbury players have progressed on to represent England and a further 171 have played first-class cricket.

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Leigh CC Head Coach lands role at Flintoff Cricket Academy

Leigh Cricket Club’s Head Coach, Steve Bailey, has landed a key role supporting Andrew Flintoff at his famous Cricket Academy.

Along with other top coaches from the region, Leigh-based Bailey has been asked to coach at Andrew Flintoff’s Cricket Academy this summer.

Bailey said: "It’s a great honour to be involved with someone who has reached the very top of their profession and represented their country. I’m absolutely delighted and can’t wait to get started."

"I very much hope that I’ll be able to learn some new skills and coaching techniques that I can bring back to the youngsters at Leigh. That way, we can all benefit from what will be a fantastic experience."

The cricket academy, which runs throughout the summer at venues across the UK for children from the age of 8 to 16, is personally endorsed by Andrew Flintoff. More details can be found at http://andrewflintoffcricketacademy.co.uk

Meanwhile, Bailey and his coaching team at Leigh have more pressing matters on their minds with the start of weekly coaching sessions at Leigh Cricket Club’s Beech Walk ground. Sessions start on Friday 11th April and run between 6pm and 7:30pm. Children of all ages and abilities are welcome along with their parents who are invited to stay and watch the sessions or enjoy the club’s facilities.

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More coaches make the grade

Leigh Cricket Club is delighted to announce that six further members of the cricket section have now successfully passed their ECB coaching courses.

Our congratulations go out to the following individuals:

Level 1 - Karen Ainscough, Neville Lancelott & Colin Seddon

The role of the ECB Coaching Assistant (UKCC 1) holder is to:

• Introduce and develop the game of cricket to people of all ages in a safe and enjoyable way
• Develop and improve players (as people, as well as cricketers)
• Develop coaching skills, knowledge and qualities
• Demonstrate competence against UKCC/national standards for coaches

The programme consisted of four three-hour modules and a final assessment.

Level 2 - Steve Bailey, Dave Dove & Stephen Wood

The role of the ECB Coach Award (UKCC 2) holder is to:

• Prepare for, deliver and review coaching sessions
• Introduce and develop the game of cricket to people of all ages in a fun and enjoyable way
• Develop FUNdaMENTAL movement skills
• Develop and improve players (as people as well as cricketers) particularly at FUNdaMENTAL and L2T stages of the LTAD model
• Develop coaching skills, knowledge and qualities
• Demonstrate competence against UKCC2/national Standard for coaches

The programme consisted of five eight-hour modules, a minimum of ten hours supported practice and an assessment day. Candidates were asked to coach a group of players and have a follow-up and record of coaching and assignments with an ECB assessor.

Dave Dove the coach - in full flow!

Along with the club's existing coaching staff, we will be able to deliver sessions for all juniors & seniors. This can only help to improve on the quality we have as a club at all ages, levels & abilities.

The cricket section is always looking for individuals who would like to join in with the further development & improvement of players. If you feel you would like to become part of our coaching team then do not hesitate to contact us.

You can contact Steve Bailey by email at: steve.bailey@millennium-si.co.uk

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1st X1 selected for match against Slaithwaite

Full details of team selection, start and meeting times for the 1st XI friendly against Slaithwaite are now available on the club's play-cricket web site.

To view selection details, do the following:

1 - Click on the 'Sign In' link in the play-cricket menu on the left-hand side of this page - this will take you to play-cricket

2 - Look for the 'Sign In' panel at the top right of the play-cricket page and log in using your chosen username and password (N.B. you must be registered as a Leigh CC member of play-cricket)

3 - Click the 'Fixtures' link near the middle of the horizontal menu at the top of the play-cricket page

4 - Click on the magnifying glass next to the entry for the Slaithwaite friendly to view full details (N.B. team selection will NOT be displayed if you have not logged in - only a summary of the match)

5 - If you have been selected as a player, please confirm online, as soon as possible, whether or not you are able to play (click on the link to your name)

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Senior outdoor training

It is also intended to have the first outdoor training session for seniors (those playing in a senior team) on Thursday 3rd April. Practices will resume on a Tuesday evening from the following week, i.e. Tuesday 8th April.

The theme for training (started during winter nets) of making us better all-round individual and team players will continue throughout the summer - in other words, all aspects of the game (batting, bowling, catching, throwing, ground fielding, fitness, mental aspects, technical elements and so on) will be covered at some stage.

All squad members should contact one of the team captains if they require more information.

Dave Dove

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Dempsters decide to move

It is with great delight that Leigh Cricket Club welcomes David and Richard Dempster. Previously at Clifton, they have decided to make the move to Beech Walk in an effort to develop their cricket still further, with a Leigh set-up already including a host of talented youngsters.

David is 17 years of age and is a right-arm off-spinner and right-handed batsman. He played district cricket from age 10 to 15 and is currently involved in the Lancashire U17 winter training at Old Trafford. In the last two years, David has represented the Central Lancashire League at both Under-15 and Under-18 levels.

Richard, on the other hand, is a left-arm seam bowler and has already impressed at Leigh's winter nets at Lowton High School. Richard, too, is involved in winter training with Lancashire at Old Trafford and is well known to our current U14 star, Mattie McKiernan, as a colleague of his at county level and opponent at district level. Richard has represented the Central Lancashire League Under-13 squad for the last two years.

Club captain Dave Dove said:

"I would like to welcome both David and Richard to Leigh and I am delighted to add two more talented young cricketers who can only add strength to our pool of players for the forthcoming season. I am particularly pleased that Leigh continues to be seen to have an infrastructure and ethos aimed at developing young cricketers, and that it provides opportunities to oversee their transition into a good standard of senior cricket. I am certain that they will not only develop their cricket with us, but also have great fun too".

Second XI captain Tim McKiernan was also pleased to see them joining Leigh, and commented:

"I have watched Richard's progress over a number of years at county level and have always been aware of David's reputation as a fine young cricketer. Needless to say, when the opportunity arose to secure the services of two excellent young cricketers, the chance was too good to pass up. Both lads have come to Leigh to play at both junior and senior levels and I look forward to working with them over the coming season and hopefully many more in the future".

And watch out - David and Richard's father, Paul, who was delighted with the club's overall strategy for his two sons, has got his whites on hand too!

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Workforce Weekend - 29th & 30th March - 10am onwards

HELP US BE READY FOR THE NEW SEASON !

The cricket committee are asking all members to spare some time over the last weekend in March. Please come and help us carry out essential tasks in order for us to be ready for the start of the new season.

A massive amount of work goes into the preparation for a new season and generally it tends to be the same old faces who volunteer to help.

Why not reduce that workload and offer your services? Some of the works to be carried out include:

• Painting sightscreens
• Jet washing and putting out the sponsors' banners
• Removing the existing cricket netting for future replacement
• Jet washing the all-weather surface to remove moss & debris
• General tidy of the surrounding net areas
• Re-mark the lines
• Clear out & tidy the changing room lockers
• Fitting of the 4th mobile cover
• etc...
• etc...

So, as you can appreciate, there is still a lot of work to be carried out prior to the commencement of the new season. If you could - please, please - give up a little of your time over the weekend, it would be greatly appreciated. At the end of the day it will also create a nicer enviroment that YOU will be playing in.

MAKE A NOTE IN YOUR DIARY - SATURDAY 29th & SUNDAY 30th MARCH, 10am ONWARDS

Please email us at leighcc@leighcc.org and let us know you'll be able to help.

Many thanks

Cricket Section Committee

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Ben Cottrell returns

Leigh Cricket Club is delighted to welcome back Ben Cottrell to the club after a few years away. Ben's whole-hearted approach to his cricket will be a great asset. Dave Dove, club captain, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Ben back, and he has already been training hard since re-signing. He gives added depth and quality to the pool of players already available."

"Ben is a popular member, and he will make a difference to the club both on and off the field. I am sure that he will enjoy his return to Leigh and I hope that he is rewarded with a successful season with both bat and ball."

Ben will no doubt be aiming to stake a claim for selection for the 1st X1 pre-season warm-up games on Saturday 5th April at Flixton and Sunday 6th April, when Leigh entertain Slaithwaite at Beech Walk.

A game between two Leigh teams is also planned at Beech Walk on Saturday 5th April, with selection coming from those cricketers not involved in the 1st X1 fixture that day.

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Pakistani paceman Jaffar Nazir signs for Leigh

Leigh Cricket Club is delighted to announce the signing of Pakistani first-class fast bowler Jaffar Nazir for the 2008 season.

Jaffar was born in Muridke, Punjab, and made his debut in the 1997/98 season. He has kept esteemed company in Pakistan with team mates including Shoaib Akhtar, known as the “Rawalpindi Express”, and Yasir Arafat, the Sussex, Kent, & Pakistan star.

Nazir, aged 30, has played 112 first-class matches, taking 425 wickets at an average of 22.46 with an economy rate of only 2.98 runs per over. He is also a useful late-order right-handed batsman having scored over 1700 runs including four half-centuries and a highest score of 80.

Since 2000, Nazir has been a regular visitor to these shores, most recently having played in the highly regarded Bradford League for East Brierley. Remarkably, he has won the bowling averages in the Bradford League on no less than five occasions and his feats last season included a half-century in just 30 balls.

More information and detailed career statistics for Jaffar can be found here.

This major signing has been made possible, amongst other things, by the significant corporate sponsorship deal recently announced with Leigh-based GENLEC Electrical Contractors Limited.

Club captain Dave Dove said:

"I'm delighted to welcome Jaffar Nazir to Leigh. It's yet another step along the way to building a stronger, more sustainable and more successful cricket club. I know that having him as part of the set-up will help us all, including the junior section, to improve our cricket."

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Leigh CC signs new two-year sponsorship deal with GENLEC

Leigh CC is delighted to today announce a new and significant corporate sponsorship deal with Leigh-based GENLEC Electrical Contractors Ltd.

The two-year deal is one of the biggest in the club’s history and brings a massive boost as Leigh sets out on the campaign to regain England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Premier League Status.

Dave Dove, Leigh CC’s club captain said:

'This is fantastic news for the club and everyone associated with it. Not only will this sponsorship deal allow us to enter the market for a top-flight overseas professional for next season, but we will also be able to invest heavily in grass-roots development at the club. The key to our sustained success is getting that balance just right and that is what we will do.'

GENLEC’s owner, John Twentyman, added:

'I am delighted that, through GENLEC’s success, I am able to put something back into cricket at Leigh. It’s a great club and a great town and GENLEC is proud to be associated with it.'

I also think that the progressive attitude taken by the club is the right one. In trying to find the balance between local and international talent, they are ensuring a strong long-term future for cricket in Leigh.

I hope our relationship will be long-lasting and of great benefit to the club.'

To showcase the new sponsorship deal, a new range of cricket clothing will be launched by the club at 1pm on Sunday 13th January at its Beech Walk headquarters. In an attempt to align the club more closely with tradition, red has been adopted as the new club colour as this is the historic colour of the town of Leigh.

Following the festive break, Leigh CC gets back into action at noon on Saturday 12th January with the first junior net session at Lowton High School. The following day (13th January), the club’s senior winter training sessions begin at 10:30am, also at Lowton High School.

Established in 1854, Leigh CC has four senior teams and a strong junior section consisting of five junior age group teams from under 9’s through to under 17’s. The club is supported by ten ECB-qualified coaches and supports the playing of cricket for all ages, abilities and ethnic backgrounds.

Further sponsorship and hospitality packages are still available - contact the club for more details.

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Dave Dove looks forward to 2008

I am delighted to have been given the chance to return to Beech Walk as Club Captain for the 2008 season.

With the loss of some top players before the season, 2007 always looked like it was going to be the most challenging for a long time and I know that Paul Vallance led the team well through a difficult season.

I'm sure everyone was disappointed to see the First X1 relegated after what proved, indeed, to be a really tough season in the top flight. Hhowever, I'm sure that some of the younger characters will have benefited from the opportunity of playing against top quality opposition week in and week out. Those individuals who have taken the experience positively will undoubtedly return in 2008 as stronger individuals and better cricketers as a result.

I am excited by the prospect of working with an undoubtedly talented crop of young cricketers, and part of my remit - working with others in the club - will be to develop and nurture this talent so as to get the best results, both for themselves and the team. I also believe, however, that it will be necessary to add further experience and quality if the team is to look to make an immediate return to the top flight. Any players will be selected carefully to ensure that they bring the right qualities to the team and to the club, and this combination of talented youth and quality experience will be vital in seeing a change in fortunes next season.

Despite being a Yorkshireman through and through, returning to Leigh really feels like a "homecoming" and I'm really looking forward to getting started in the job. I want all the players to feel like Leigh is their club, as this ensures a commitment, attitude and spirit which will help bring positive results. We will also have fun in our cricket - winning matches is always a great start to having fun - so that's my aim.

David Dove

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Leigh CC Junior Section - Honours Board Leigh CC Juniors play in the Wigan & District Junior Cricket League
Year	U-9	U-11	U-13	U-15	U-17/18
2001	n / a	League Champs	League Champs Cup R/Up	League Champs	Cup Winners
2002	n / a	League Champs		Cup Winners	League Champs Cup R/Up
2003	n / a Wigan & District 6-a-side Champs	Indoor Champs	League Champs		League Champs Cup Winners
2004		Indoor Champs	League Champs Cup R/Up	League Champs Cup R/Up	League R/Up Cup R/Up
2005		League Champs Cup Winners	Cup R/Up Indoor Champs	League Champs	League Champs
2006	League Champs Indoor R/Up	League R/Up Cup R/Up Indoor Champs	Indoor Champs	League Champs	League Champs Cup Winners
2007	League R/Up		League Champs Cup R/Up	Cup R/Up	League Champs

7-year Summary	Total: 41 honours
	U-9	U-11	U-13	U-15	U-17/18
League Champs League R/Up Cup Winners Cup R/Up Other Honours	1 1     2	3 1 1 1 3	4     4 2	4   1 2	5 1 3 2

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Leigh juniors allocated district squad places for 2008

Leigh Cricket Club is delighted to annouce that, following a series of trials with Wigan & District Junior Cricket, no less than seven of its players have been selected for the 2008 squads, as follows: U11s - Daniel Horton U11s - Tom Jones U13s - Adam Shallcross U13s - Oliver Shepherd U15s - Mattie McKiernan U15s - Matthew Yates U15s - James Curran Congratulations go out to each of these players from all at Leigh CC, and I'm sure you will join us in wishing them good luck in the forthcoming season.

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