Spared Clifton now aim to build
Hewitt takes reins and overseas ace is signed
CLIFTON will target a season less fraught for the first team as the Derbyshire County Cricket League campaign launches on Saturday with a game away to promoted South Wingfield.
The Chapel Lane side were spared relegation from Division One last year after winning only five of 22 matches and finishing second bottom.
One of the teams who finished in the promotion places did not have a ground meeting the criteria for promotion and, as a result, only bottom club Lullington Park went down.
It was a narrow squeak for Clifton, who brought through a string of younger players last season – and not one they will want to repeat.
While Josh Hewitt is now properly installed as captain after doing the job towards the end of last season, the club have also brought in a seasoned overseas professional to help out.
Mehran Ibrahim is a 28-year-old batsman from Pakistan with 30 first class matches to his name, in which he has scored two centuries and four fifties.
He has also had two successful seasons in England previously.
He played a key role in Wrenthorpe CC winning the Bradford Premier League title in 2018, scoring 830 runs at an average of more 59, including three centuries, and chipped in with 15 wickets.
He returned in 2019 to play for Audley in the North Staffs & South Cheshire League, again scoring more than 800 runs, with two centuries.
“The club identified the need to add real quality and, hopefully, we have found that in Mehran,” said Hewitt.
“He has previously had two successful seasons in the UK and we look forward to having him join the squad in time for the new season.”
Bringing back former England inter
national Usman Afzaal and his brother Aqib last season did not really work out for Clifton and they have moved on.
Also leaving is all-rounder Bilal Hussain, who is going to play for Grantham in Lincolnshire.
The loss of Hussain arguably causes the bigger hole in the squad after his 39 wickets and 239 runs but Hewitt is positive ahead of the new campaign.
“Hopes are high going into the new season,” he said.
“We finished last season at the wrong end of the table and have set about making some positive changes.
“The club has a good core of young players and it’s about providing opportunities while remaining competitive and giving them the best platform to take the club forward.
“It will be a case of taking each game as it comes but with a good winter programme complete and a refreshed commitment from the players, we are all looking forward to the season.
“Hopefully, a few early wins can help us build momentum and ensure we are at the right end of the table by September.”
Also joining the first-team set-up at Chapel Lane is Samil Mahmood, who enjoyed great success as part of the under-19 squad last season that made it to the final of the inaugural Hundred competition (the final is due to be played on May 15) and provided a lot of entertainment for the locals on Frias day nights in the summer.
Also new to the club are brother and sister Jess and James Bakewell and Sam Goddard.
It will be a year in which some of the younger players, such as Harry Moore, son of club stalwart Simon, can aim to step up with the benefit of another year’s experience.
Moore impressed in several first team games last season.
Targets for the second and third teams have also been set – they will seek promotion from Division Six South and Division Nine South respectively, after coming close last season.
Captaining the two sides again will be Phil Marsh and Steve Walwyn.
On top of the three senior league teams the club continues to offer All-stars and Dynamos cricket for children from ages five to 11 on Friday nights and a women’s hardball team will take to the field for the first time to complement the growing softball team that played last season.
If you are new to the area or want to join the club, get in touch through the website (www.cliftonderby.play-cricket.com/home) or the social media channels, searchable on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
■ The seconds start at home to Ashbourne in Division Six South (12.30pm), while the thirds are at “home” at The Willows, in Rolleston, against Kings Bromley seconds (1pm).