Barnard Castle CC
FORMER Yorkshire spinner Karl Carver is returning to Barnard Castle for a second season as a professional.
The club had no hesitation in offering him terms for the 2021 season and he accepted immediately.
Director of cricket Michael Stanwix said: “Karl performed splendidly in his first summer with us and when he wasn’t taking wickets he was usually keeping an end tight.
“But he also fitted perfectly into our dressing room and embodied the way Barney like to play the cricket, competitive but always in the right spirit.”
Carver took 23 wickets in eight matches at 11.87 runs each in a curtailed NYSD Premier Division season and conceded well under three runs an over.
Before arriving at Barney, he was with Yorkshire where he played eight first-class and 23 limited overs matches.
When Yorkshire released him at the end of the 2019 season, Barney were quick to spot that he could strengthen their side.
“Accurate spin can be very effective in league cricket,” said Mr Stanwix.
“Left-arm spin of the type Karl bowls is really worth its weight in gold and we’re sure he can help us challenge for honours once more.”
Ideally, the club will also sign a second professional but are biding their time to see what happens with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Plans are likely to proceed for a full season but that is not yet certain and the club also has to be sure it has the finances.
Club chairman David Sparrow said: “Like most other sporting organisations the pandemic has hit us hard.
“We want to sign a second pro to further strengthen the best team Barney have had in their entire history and will be doing everything we can to make sure that happens so our captain James Quinn can go out with the best hand at his disposal.
“But we also have to make sure we’re in a position to afford it.”
Last year’s other Barney professional Ed Barnes, another Yorkshireman, never appeared because he was signed by Derbyshire.
He has now been handed a three-year contract by Leicestershire, so will not be returning to the club.
“We wish Ed all the best,” said Mr Stanwix.
“I know that he too would have been a good fit for Barney but the fact that he has been offered a long county contract shows the quality of the player we want here. We’ll be keeping a sharp eye out in the next few months here and overseas just in case.”
