Club’s latest recruits shine in Spring sun
PRE-SEASON matches are often notable for scowling clouds and grimacing players but S&B’s intraclub friendly last Saturday could hardly have been bettered.
A dozen batsmen reached double figures, nine bowlers took wickets and the weather was so benevolent that the whole occasion was curiously redolent of the Algarve.
Indeed, so warm were the conditions that the game between Team Cunningham and Team Baybutt was extended from 40 to 45 overs-a-side, and only six balls of the total allotment remained when Tom Baybutt completed a fourwicket victory that was ultimately achieved by his own unbroken stand of 41 for the seventh wicket with Chris Firth.
While that partnership offered a reminder of the skills still possessed by S&B’s more established players the cricketers who gained most from the balmy afternoon were the club’s new recruits, all of whom did something of merit.
Perhaps the most predictable event of the day was that David Snellgrove should make Team Cunningham’s highest score and the former Ormskirk skipper spent less than an hour over his 41 runs before retiring.
Earlier in the afternoon opener Jack Stanley had taken a little longer to compile his 23, not that anyone begrudged the ex-Little Hulton batsman his time at the crease, especially as much of it was spent in the company of Snellgrove.
Very few of Lancashire’s age-group players have had net sessions of any sort in the close season and so Saturday’s workout was more than usually valuable to them.
Medium pacer Basil Sultan picked up one for 27 from his eight overs and the Liverpool University student, Bobby Wincer, one for 22 with his slow left-armers but Team Cunningham’s total of 179 for eight was still a decent target on a pitch of typical early-season pace.
Team Baybutt’s pursuit was led by the skipper’s brother, Jack, and by his opening partner, Jack Carney, both of whom made 22 before being dismissed in successive overs by the very promising Tom Crew.
The next half-hour or so was dominated by Sultan, whose 40-ball 41, including five fours and a six, probably released some of the frustrations felt by a young cricketer who has spent the last few months practising in his house.
“The winter’s not been busy,” admitted Sultan later. “I’ve had about three bowling nets but I hadn’t had a batting net until I came over to Southport last Tuesday.
“The wicket today was true but a bit soft, although that’s only to be expected in April.
“I enjoyed my innings a lot. I’d heard from players at Didsbury that the Liverpool Competition is a tougher league and I’ve moved to S&B to experience that challenge.”
Sultan is not alone, of course. Other players have decided to test themselves at Trafalgar Road this summer and there remains a very good chance that an overseas signing will be added to the squad in advance of the season’s opening league fixture at Wallasey on April 24.
Before that match takes place, however, S&B will host Bradshaw on Saturday and Norden a week later. Spectators will be allowed to attend the second of those games.
Team Cunningham: 179-8 (45): (Snellgrove 41, Stanley 23, Byrne 22, C Carney 21, May 17, Holliday 12; T. Baybutt 3-17, P Crew 1-17, B. Wincer 1-22, M. Lightbown 1-25, B Sultan 1-27)
Team Baybutt: 182-6 (44): (T Baybutt 43*, Sultan 41, J Baybutt 22, J Carney 22, Firth 17*, Wincer 16; T Crew 2-40, S Regan 1-22, M Hennessy 1-35, C Byrne 1-39)