Linde to replace countryman at Rishton

CRICKET

IT has been all change at Rishton Cricket Club as Shaun von Berg will not be returning to the club for a third season as professional, with fellow South African George Linde arriving in his place.

Von Berg has made his decision due to the prospect of international commitments, with all rounder Linde joining after being a regular member of the Cobras Ram Slam Team in the recent South African T20 Competition.

Rishton Cricket Club said: “As you are aware Shaun Von Beg signed a contract to return for the 2018 season. This however will not be the case.

“John Curran was made aware by Shaun’s agent in October that Shaun would be unable to return as he wuld be required to remain in South Africa as he would be needed to tour with etiher the full South African team or an A team. Repeated attempts have been made with Shaun’s agent, the South African Cricket Board and with Shaun himself to provide us with official notification of this.

“To date we have received no official correspondence. We have also sought guidance from the LCB and the ECB. As a committee, we were faced with a dilemma, to wait this official notification in the belief that Shaun would come back, or try to sign a replacement. We as a body chose the latter course of action.

“We are delighted therefore to announce that in December we received a signed contract back from our choice. Our professional for 2018 will be Cape Cobras player George Linde. George is an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls slow left arm.

“George was the first choice of the professional selection panel and previously played in the North West of England for Lytham and for fellow Lancashire League club Darwen whilst they were in the Northern League in 2014, where he scored 819 runs and took 70 wickets.

“With respect to Shaun, we are still holding a signed contract from which he will be released when official notification is received.”