Report and photos: Peter Rogan

May The Force be with you!

Preparations are well underway at Brook Lane for the start of the forthcoming season.

And the first sign that the season fast approaches became apparent on Saturday when members turned out for the annual ‘Cricket Force’ day.

There was not a cricket ball in sight but rather lots of tins of paint, scrubbing machinery and gardening tools along, of course, with plenty of volunteers to make use of equipment.

The striking activity revolved around the painting of the sight screens. For the first time in the Club’s history the screens were painted white on one side with the reverse being painted black; some “white ball’ cricket will be played and rather than covering the screens with black back drops they will simply be turned around to meet the requirements of the white ball format.

Meanwhile, the boundary fencing and walls had suffered the usual abuse of the winter weather and were spruced up with gallons of emulsion paint and at the end of the day looked as good as new. The grass edging was neatened up to great advantage, leaving that particular team with a feeling of a job well done, albeit it was at a cost of sore knees and aching backs!

The close season has seen one major change on the playing side - Andy Baybutt has moved on to sign for Orrell Red Triangle and his place is taken by Tyler McGladdery from Rainhill CC. He is a top class left handed opening batsman and will be a tremendous asset to the Club. In addition to his batting ability he is a more than useful bowler.

It is not clear how much will be seen of Josh Bohannon throughout the summer as he looks certain to be a regular with Lancashire County First XI, while the availability of both George Lavelle and Tom Hartley could be somewhat restricted as a result of them being awarded contracts with the County.

It is almost certain that they will not be available for every game but that is the price to be paid for successfully bringing on players through the junior ranks. On the other hand, however, there are young players in the Second XI who will graduate successfully to the First XI and the future looks bright on all fronts.

The season gets fully under way on Saturday 20th April and here’s looking forward to a hugely successful summer, ending with a cabinet full of trophies gained at senior and junior levels!