Swaine must combat Nasir in Cup special

SO who will tackle Delph & Dobcross in the All Rounder Sykes Cup final on Sunday, August 12?

The answer will be provided tomorrow when Drakes Premiership leaders Hoylandswaine entertain top-flight rivals Shepley at Haigh Lane (1pm).

Having been beaten by a very strong Hanging Heaton side in the Heavy Woollen Cup semi-finals – their first defeat of the season in all competitions – Hoylandswaine will be eager not to miss out again.

SP Singh’s side, however, have completed a league double over Shepley already – they beat them by 86 runs only last Saturday – and, having reached the Total Indoor Cricket Solutions T20 Trophy final in midweek, are clearly still full of confidence.

Alex Lees of Yorkshire is back in their side for today’s league trip to Broad Oak, too, so they are keen to restore full momentum in the Byrom Shield race, which they lead by 11 points from Honley (their opponents in the T20 Finals Day at Rastrick).

Lees has drilled up 830 runs in his 10 Swaine knocks, with five 50s and three centuries, so he will be a big plus in the semi-final clash.

Muhammad Saeed Anwar is also now back in action – and he has three 50s and a ton in 387 runs so far.

Shepley have Greg Wood as skipper and will be looking for Jamal Nasir to combat Swaine’s powerful batting line-up.

Experienced Nasir is in his fourth season at Marsh Lane and is a craftsman with the ball, picking up 52 wickets at 11.38 each, so with Danny Glover and Archie Greaves providing more pace and seam at the other end, Shepley have weapons.

Spin duo Abbas Ahmed (30 wickets at 23.17) and Nadim Hussain (33 at 19.03) could also have a big part to play.

Oli Davidson’s all-round ability – he hit 54 against Swaine last week and has 12 wickets at 24.00 - could also be a factor.

In the batting department, Greg Wood (705 runs) and brother Dan (743 runs) lead their averages, while Tom Denton remains one of the most gifted batsmen in the Drakes.