Prolific Carter back to battle for Scholes
Joe Carter of Northern Districts in action for Scholes in the Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League. Inset: Callum Hill on his way to an unbeaten century against Elland
Carter is English, while Hill is also EU qualified, so Smith is the overseas for 2017.
“It’s great to have Devon, Joe and Callum signed because they are not only good cricketers, but good lads,” said skipper James Noble.
“We believe we have strength and a good balance to the side and knowing what all our individuals are capable of producing, we are really looking forward to the season.”
Carter, who has played 28 firstclass matches under James Pamment for ND, is a massive talent and in each of his two previous seasons with Scholes won the Premiership batting prize.
A former New Zealand Under 19 World Cup player and Bay of Plenty batting record holder, Carter piled up 1,222 runs in 26 innings at an average of 55.55 in 2013.
Then he took his second Tom Oldham Trophy in 2015, helping Scholes lift the Byrom Shield title with 1,323 runs in 26 innings at an average of 63.00.
While he is not expected to be available right at the start of the season, Carter’s return is a significant boost to Scholes as they bid to battle champions Delph & Dobcross, Hoylandswaine, Shepley and Barkisland for the honours this summer.
After a slow start last season, Hill came through strongly to total 474 runs last season in addition to making a valuable contribution behind the sticks when Yorkshire’s Ben Birkhead wasn’t available – regular choice Richard Holmes was recovering from an operation in the second team.
With experience of the conditions and the competition under his belt, and with no expectation for him to keep wicket, Hill is expected to deliver plenty more runs to the Scholes party from when they open the campaign at home to Broad Oak on Saturday, April 15.
Scholes have been drawn at home to last season’s losing semi-finalists Meltham in the first round of the All Rounder Sykes Cup. They entertain Mirfield PC in the Heavy Woollen. YORKSHIRE director of cricket Martyn Moxon is convinced Joe Root is a “natural leader” who has all the attributes to be England captain.
Root is strong favourite to succeed Alastair Cook after the opener announced he is stepping down as Test captain following his record 59 matches in the role.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is not expected to make an immediate appointment, but it will be a major surprise if Root is not confirmed as the new man to lead his country at the start of a year which will contain the start of an Ashes series in Australia next autumn.
Before then, the first assignment for current vicecaptain Root is set to be two summer series against South Africa and the West Indies following the Champions Trophy, in which he will also be heavily involved as England’s most reliable batsman across the formats.
Moxon, who has seen Root develop at Headingley over much of the past decade, acknowledges much will be asked of him if he is given one of cricket’s most taxing jobs.
But he said: “If the England captaincy comes your way, you’re not going to turn it down.
“When is the right time? That’s the 64,000 dollar question ... but I don’t think it will be a problem for Joe.
“He is an experienced international cricketer now, for a number of years, and he’s at the top of his game in every format.”
Root has already had an eventful year following the birth of his first child Alfred last month.
Like Cook before him, he has had relatively little captaincy experience before entering the reckoning to lead England.
Moxon, however, is confident he has seen enough of him in action to be sure he will rise to the challenge.
Moxon said: “It is something he will have to adapt to, but I think he is the type of cricketer who will thrive on it rather than it being a problem for him.
“The new responsibilities will suit his character.
“I think he’s a natural leader. He’s got a good cricket brain, and he is a student of the game. He is full of ideas, and has the respect of players.”