New cricket season – Evenwood 'in a good place' for 2017 campaign

EVENWOOD CC

A FOCUS on the future is the message from Evenwood CC for 2017.
The Gaun
A seventh place finish in Durham Cricket League division two last season came as a slight disappointment as the first team were up there with leaders for much of the season. Despite the departure of prolific Indian pro Mairaj Khan, assistant secretary and first teamer, Luke Bannister, is confident the club can mount a promotion challenge.
He said: “This year I really fancy our chances to go up. I would expect us at the every least to finish in the top five – we should be knocking on the door of promotion.”
Billy Teesdale will take the helm of the first XI while 21-year-old Adam Martindale will skipper the seconds.
A rash of injuries last year meant the club struggled through the final third of the summer.  Mr Bannister expects better luck this year.
“We had no pro, no Billy and we were playing a lot of people who weren't even fit,” he said. “Owen Peddelty is back after a bad ankle injury which was one the worst I have ever seen.”
Hiring an overseas professional often requires a club to have money and access to six months worth of accommodation.
Mr Bannister said it was the latter which forced the club’s hand this year, however, he was confident Mr Khan would be available to return from his studies in 2018. Meanwhile, an ECB grant and money from Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) has secured roll-on covers for the pitch by the end of April.
The dry weather has also ensured the square is in good shape for the club's season opener against Langley Park on Saturday.
Mr Bannister said: “I am more than happy – it’s looking as well as it has done for a long time. We could not go on winging it – we had to sort the ground out.
“We would have lost players if we didn’t do it so it has needed a push.”
Evenwood’s junior section also looks to have wintered well with a new under 18s side entering the league.
Mr Bannister added: “The club is in a good place at the moment – we’ve got four junior teams and a few 16-year-olds for the first time in a while.
“All the kids in the second XI who were 13 or 14 are now 15, 16 or 17 – so the seconds should be okay.”
less Valley outfit is not signing a professional this year and is instead funnelling its resources into improving the Randolph Social Welfare Ground.