Macc lad Sawas completes a move to Premier outfit Leek

CHESHIRE batsman Khalid Sawas will play for Leek in the 2021 North Staffs and South Cheshire League season.

The Moorlanders have confirmed the signing of Sawas from Cheshire County League side Macclesfield as they continue their plans for next year’s Premier Division campaign.

The 32-year-old has been a prolific run scorer at club level over the last 15 years, amassing more than 10,000 runs.

That haul includes 53 halfcenturies and 14 tons - as well as three seasons where he has broken through the 1,000-run barrier.

Sawas played minor counties cricket for Cheshire between 2012 and 2016.

He made 18 Championship, 11 50-over and three T20 appearances for the county.

Sawas was part of the side which were crowned minor counties champions in 2013 after beating Cambridgeshire at Wisbech, where he scored 79 in the first innings.

The right-handed batsman scored three centuries for Cheshire in the Championship and one limited-overs ton.

He is the latest Macclesfield player to join the club after allrounder Craig Melrose moved to Highfield ahead of the 2020 season.

Leek chairman Brian Mellor said: “Khalid is a very talented cricketer, and one we identified as a target towards the end of the 2020 Season.

“He has great experience, and as a former team-mate of our very own Craig Melrose, we know he will fit straight in to the club.

“He’ll bring stability to our top order and I very much look forward to seeing him hit runs at Highfield.”

Leek have already confirmed that skipper Alex Mellor has agreed a new two-year player-coach deal, while Warwickshire all-rounder Alex Thomson has also committed to playing his club cricket at Highfield next summer.

The Moorlanders finished in fourth place in the NSSCL Premier Division this year after winning seven of their 11 league encounters.

· ASHCOMBE Park have strengthened their batting options for the 2021 NSSCL Premier Division season by recruiting Kidsgrove batsman Haroon Mahmood.

Meanwhile, the club is exploring the possibility of fielding a third team on a Saturday next year.

Ashcombe Park would need to find a second ground if they are able to add to the two sides who already compete in the NSSCL.

They are hoping to hear back from other league members to see whether a venue would be available for them to move ahead with the plan.