A MUCH changed Barnard Castle CC side begins its NYSD Premier division campaign on Saturday with a trip to Darlington.
Out from last year have gone skipper James Finch, opener Simon Tennant, professional Karl Turner and off spinner Jack Robinson.
In have come Alasdair Appleby, signed from North East Premier League club Newcastle, and Aussie Giles Creedon as an overseas amateur.
The club is also hopeful that Sri Lankan top order batsman Hashan Dumindu will join as overseas pro – provided all the red tape associated with signing a foreign professional can be overcome.
Dumindu, who turns 23 this week, has been lined up as a replacement for Pakistani Iftikhar Ahmed, who had been signed earlier this year but is now not taking up the contract.
The youthful Barney side will be captained by 23-year-old left handed top order batsman James Quinn.
He said he had set “no limits but no big expectations” for the season ahead.
“We are a young side with a lot of home grown talent and this home grown talent has the ability to play exciting, positive cricket,” he said.
The new-look top order is likely to see Appleby – just 20 and described as a really aggressive player – opening up with James Alderson, who until now has spent his time in the middle order.
Creedon, who the skipper says has “fitted straight in”, is likely to feature in the top four.
The bowling attack will be led once again by Josh Bousfield, who last season picked up 42 wickets at just under 19 runs apiece. Bousfield has also been handed the vice-captaincy of the team.
Giles Creedon follows in the footsteps of fellow Queenslanders Ben Turner and Lachlan Pfeffer in making the trip over to play for Barney.
“I went to school with Ben Turner and when the chance came up to come to Barney I contacted Ben and he could not speak highly enough of the club,” he said.
Having just finished his domestic season with the University of Queensland side, he is looking forward to pitting his skills in different conditions.
“None of the grounds are like this in Australia,” he said.
“They are all quite dry and big open spaces, not green and lush.
“It is more about what the ball does off the pitch over here whereas in Australia, you need more pace to get the ball through. I will see how it goes.”
A physio with the Royal Brisbane Hospital, he will spend the summer helping out on the ground at Barney.
As well as batting, his left arm orthodox tweak will come in useful, especially in Jack Robinson’s absence.
“I am looking forward to a bit of turn,” he said.
Barney will come up against a Darlington side which has also seen a couple of changes in the off season.
Paul Freary leads a side shorn of the wily veteran Jon Barnes, who has stood down from first team duties.
The club has recruited Sri Lankan all-rounder Rajeewa Weerasinghe to replace Mohammed Saad as overseas pro, while Liam Coates continues as the English pro.
This weekend’s fixtures:
Saturday:
Darlington v Barnard Castle (12.30pm);
Barnard Castle II v Darlington II (12.30pm).
Sunday:
Barnard Castle III v Yarm II (3pm).
