It is time . . . local

What top North East teams have to say about season ahead

DUKES ECB NORTH EAST PREMIER LEAGUE

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, it’s been a busy winter at Chester-le-street with a number of departures and arrivals as they head in to the 2024 full of excitement and optimism.

Skipper Ash Thorpe said: “We have lost Amaan Ul Haq, Ross Whitfield and Stanley Mcalindon, but we wish them all the best at their new clubs.

“We have bolstered our squad with James Thompson and Mark Watson from Washington, Cole Pearce returns from Burnopfield and we have also signed former Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer and our Durham player for the season is up-and-coming fast bowler Luke Robinson, who joins from Philadelphia.

“South North and Burnmoor will rightly go into the season as favourites, but we want to give that a good shake. At full strength, we feel we can challenge and we are hopeful that availability is kind to us unlike in the past.”

Burnmoor’s Alec Linsley said: “We are looking forward to the 2024 season and have made a couple of additions to our squad. We are delighted to have recruited Stuart Poynter, a RHB/WK and occasional off break bowler, who has represented his country Ireland on a number of occasions as well as playing for Durham CCC. Mitch Killeen has also signed and is on a Durham CCC rookie contract.

“We have engaged our resident overseas Waqas Maqsood for the third consecutive season. We have only been in the NEPL for five seasons and in that time have won it once and finished second every other year. We have the team to win it and that will be our aim.”

Sunderland skipper Chris Youldon said: “We have taken a youthful approach to our recruitment this year with the signings of George Fishwick (Durham City CC), Charlie Coulthard (Willington) and Jack Johnson (Seaham Park). We have also signed Namibian international Jack Brassell from Washington along with Michael Nunn.”

Youldon added: “We are aiming to cement our place as Premier League regulars following bouncing back as champions of Division One, having being relegated two seasons ago.”

Newcastle director of cricket Phil Hudson said: “We go into the season hoping to build on consecutive top five finishes and break into the top three. The club will keep largely the same side as last season, although Brodie Glendinning has left to play in Yorkshire and Joe Anderson has returned to Benwell Hill.

“We have been boosted by Asher Hart moving to the area, meaning he will play every week and form a potent pace attack with George Darwood, Isaac Unsworth and new overseas player Rowan Shelton. Bobby Green remains as captain and will spearhead a lengthy batting line-up that includes a number of all-rounders.”

Castle Eden skipper Jonathan Malkin said: “We have Bilawal Iqbal returning, he has been amazing during his time with the club and hope he continues to do well. Only one new signing, Mujeeb Muhammad joins us from Whitburn, he will massively strengthen our top order and we look forward to watching him play.”

Tynedale skipper Dan Parker said: “We have signed Matthew Scott from Burnopfield, Ed Foreman from Tynemouth, plus Joe Barber and our overseas professional this year is Ram Gurung from India!”

DIVISION ONE

Whitburn skipper Lee Henderson said: “Our overseas professional is Samuel Kerber (Australian) and new players include Karl Turner, Chris Greaves, James Sneller and Samuel Kerber. My thoughts for the season are that we’re hoping to play an exciting brand of cricket with some experienced heads, whilst developing an array of young local talent.”

Sacriston fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “We have signed Bryn Bursill as overseas amateur for the season. Bryn is a young left-arm seam bowler from Western Australia. He’ll add depth to our seam bowling attack alongside all-rounder Tom Slane, who has joined from Shotley Bridge. Joe Thompson has also joined from Washington

and will fill one of the gaps left by Sol Bell (who returned to South North) and Danny Thexton (who returned to Tudhoe).

“We’re expecting a challenging season but are looking forward to seeing our talented young cricketers, led by Nathan Hall, take responsibility for delivering positive performances on the field as we celebrate 150 Years at Sacriston Colliery CC this season!”

Seaham Harbour Ian Pattison said: “We have managed to re-engage Paras Dogra who joins us for his third successive season. Joining him is Jack Lacey who returns after a brief spell at Sunderland and also Regan Pattison after one season away at Bishop Auckland.

“After the success from last season gaining promotion in the play-off win, we go into the 2024 season with an aim of a top six finish, hoping we can compete in most games we play.”

There have been several changes at Philadelphia, who only missed out on promotion when they lost their final game last season.

Shaun Smith has moved to Gateshead Fell and Dan Pearson has joined Littletown. Youngster Luke Robinson, who has been given a contract by Durham County, was told he needed to pitch his bowling skills against Premier Division batters and he has linked up with Chester-le-street, said chairman Malcolm Pratt.

Pratt said: “Chris Malley is taking a year off to recover from injuries to his knees, while Steven Wright will probably only play when needed. Peter Greenwell, who has not played in recent seasons, has returned and will bolster both the batting and bowling. Manisankar Murasingh is back for a second season following a hugely impressive debut last year. We’re looking forward to being competitive again despite the changes.”

Seaham Park skipper Dale Shaw said: “We have Virat Singh, an EX-IPL player with SRH, as our overseas professional. We have also signed Reece Wood from Tudhoe, Brij Sheopuri and Zac Le Roux as Durham University players and Arron Feroz from Hetton Lyons. However, we have lost Jack Johnson back to Sunderland and Matthew Brown to an NYSD Premier League team. Hopes and ambitions are to push for the league, we have a very strong team and squad this season and have high hopes.”

Hetton Lyons skipper Stuart Walker said: “Sagar Udeshi is the professional we have signed and new player in is big-hitting grounder Chris Winn, plus we have signed Paul Coughlin as our Durham player. We are hopefully to do well with the new signings and keeping with same squad from last year.”

Lanchester’s Stu Mcphail said: “Our professional is Pasindu Madushan and we academy prospect, Henry Sherwood from Durham City. We want to be as competitive as last season in what will be a stronger league with the hope that key games will be played.”

Willington skipper Karl Brown said: “Following a disappointing campaign last season, we have recruited well over the close season and go into the 2024 season with a great deal of optimism. Led by James Stock the club have made notable signings, including Andy and Dan Pratt from Crook, Patrick Gouge, Phoenix Ashworth and Gus Beagles from Durham University. Adam Khan returns to his old club from Durham City and youngster Jacob Hindmarsh is an exciting pros