HANCOCK UP FOR THE CHALLENGE OF KEEPING TITLE RIVALS AT BAY
PORTHILL Park captain John Hancock has welcomed the enforced changes to the North Staffs and South Cheshire League structure - even though it poses a greater risk to his side’s title dominance.
The coronavirus pandemic means that recreational cricket was only given the green light to start a fortnight ago, leaving leagues across the country eyeing up alternative plans.
The NSSCL have settled on an 11week season, with each side playing everyone else once, with matches being reduced from 55 overs to straight win or lose 40-over per side contests.
Porthill Park have dominated local cricket in recent times, with three of the last four Premier Division titles being won by the Old County Ground outfit.
But as the campaign is reduced from a marathon to a sprint, Hancock admits that opens the door for a greater number of pretenders to their crown.
“It’s new for everyone, but the format is quite exciting,” said Hancock. “We maybe will have to approach things a little bit differently and that was a conversation we had at selection.
“There’s fielding restrictions to consider, as well as the fact that each bowler can only bowl eight overs.
“It could be that teams look to restrict and I imagine that matches will now become more of a tactical battle.
“For us, though, it doesn’t change our ambitions. We turn up every Saturday wanting - and trying - to win and want to be top of the table.
“But you will need a bit of luck. We’re now playing with a pink ball, and we’ve got more away games than at home, so all of those factors open it up for other teams to win the league.”
The temporary changes to the rules shouldn’t have too much of an effect on Porthill Park.
They are already well stocked in both the batting and bowling departments and seem to have all the tools to be the ones to beat as they kick off their summer at Longton tomorrow.
“It’s a tough start - one of the toughest - but it’s important that we hit the ground running,” added Hancock.
“We’re probably in a bit of a privileged position with a strong batting line-up and seven or eight bowling options.
“The games will highlight depth. And those bowlers who are fifth or sixth change will have a bigger impact on the games now.
“It’s an exciting, but different format, and I think it’s the best solution in the time we have left.
“In the past we’ve not been that good at the short format stuff, but that’s because we’ve probably channelled all of our energy in to the league.
“There’s no cup distractions this year, but we’ll still need things to go our way if we want to finish near the top.”
Longton skipper Ed Jones is keeping his fingers crossed that his team can be one of those who string together some early results to put themselves in the frame to take the title from Porthill Park’s possession.
Longton finished in a lowly ninth place last summer - a disappointing return for a side packed with talent, but which failed to deliver the goods on too many occasions.
Jones concedes that there is no hiding place for his players over the course of the next 11 weeks.
“I would say that this group of players is the strongest I’ve had the pleasure of leading,” said Jones.
“We’ve had a young side in the last few years and we’d play well one week and then not get a result somewhere you’d expect to.
“We’ve banned ‘young side’ from our dressing room. We’ve had a players’ meeting and there can be no more excuses. Now is the time to show our potential.
“Consistency has affected us, but I would say that the new format does suit us.
“All the cricket badgers out there will love it because of the powerplays and the restrictions on the number of overs bowlers can bowl.
“I’ve always wanted a fielding circle in play and it’s going to make for some positive cricket.
“In the last five overs you often see the boundary littered with fielders, but that can’t be the case now.
“And at some of the faster-scoring grounds, if you need 10 or 12 an over at the death, that’s all of a sudden achieveable because of the number of fielders allowed out.”
Jones is targeting a significant improvement from his charges this year.
And he says there will be a huge competitive edge from all teams as they bid to be crowned champions.
He insists that he would love to see his players rubbing shoulders with the likes of Porthill Park and Meakins in the battle to be this summer’s champions.
“I would be disappointed if we are not near the top end,” he added.
“I can only speak about my desire, but people want to turn up to win the
Premier Division title - and it doesn’t matter that it’s a shortened season.
“You still play everyone and it would mean as much to the side which finishes top, even though it’s only half a summer.
“At the halfway stage of the season, you always see who is going to be challenging or in trouble.
“So despite playing only 11 games, it will still be a true reflection of the strength of teams.”
Longton have named experienced seamer Shaun Rashid in their side following his winter move from Audley and new signing from Moddershall & Oulton, Tom Hope.
Porthill Park, meanwhile, have included all-rounder Ben Warrender and young batting prospect Rohan Hesketh in their line-up.
The visitors’ bowling attack is set to be led by evergreen seamer Craig Barker and former Derbyshire paceman Ben Cotton.