Last updated at 12:34, Thursday, 19 April 2012

Keswick’s homegrown ex-professional Paul Hindmarch will miss the start of the North Lancs season – as he is on trial with Leicestershire.

Paul Hindmarch

The Borrowdale bowler has spent the last two seasons as pro at Fitz Park but is hoping to launch a first-class career with the county outfit.

Keswick chairman Keith Richardson said: “He’s trying to rebuild his career after being released by Durham a couple of years ago. We desperately want him to do well. It’s his career.

“He’s trying really hard and giving it his best shot, but if he isn’t offered a contract he indicated he will come back here and play for us as an amateur. We would obviously welcome him back.

“Paul spent the winter in Australia playing cricket and hopefully he’s over a long-standing back injury.”

Keswick have signed batsman Geeth Kumara as their pro for the season. The 23-year-old has played first-class cricket in his native Sri Lanka, and this will be his first season in the UK.

“He’s got to adjust to English conditions and it will take time obviously,” Richardson added. “He will play as a top order batsman and leg spinner.”

Kumara will be put through an ECB coaching course and work extensively on coaching Keswick’s youngsters.

The first-team will again by skippered by Glen Weightman, while opening batsman Richard Webster has switched to Cockermouth, where he lives.

Wicket-keeper Andy Rigg will miss the entire season after suffering cruciate ligament damage playing football.

“There’s a chance for two or three of our better young players to come through in to the first-team,” Richardson said.

“For me the most important thing is that people enjoy their cricket. If it’s a happy team, results are more likely to come your way.

“We are not setting any goals. We thought last year we might be in with a shout but it didn’t come off.

“It’s a very strong league and the better teams could hold comparison with the better teams in the Northern League.

“Furness are a really strong outfit, Cockermouth and Penrith will be strong, and there’s Cleator and Workington.

“Millom have a good pro so could come more in to the reckoning. All those teams, and Keswick, are capable of doing very well. It’s a difficult one to call.

“I would go for Furness because of their record and how they play. They were out on their own last year. No one else got a shout.

“Furness are favourites and the rest are fighting to stay with them.”

Keswick open their account on Saturday with a trip to Cleator, who have snapped up South African amateur all-rounder Shaheen Khan, who was due to arrive in the UK yesterday.

Cleator chairman Alan Wishart said: “After a poor first half of the season where we were near the bottom of the league, we picked up in the second half and went unbeaten, beating everyone including champions Furness.

“So if we can get off to a good start and get two or three wins in the first five games, then I would expect us to be near the top at the end of the season.

“Hopefully, Shaheen will get a chance in the nets before the weekend. It will definitely be different for him, coming from South African wickets to here.”

Whitehaven, who open at Penrith, narrowly escaped relegation last term and have brought in an overseas amateur, New Zealander Jonathan (Jono) Bennett.

The 19-year-old from Christchurch is a top order batsman and Whitehaven hope he will lead them from the front. He can also bowl medium pace outswing.

Bennett last term had a spell in the Hertfordshire League with Cockfosters, performing well with the bat. Penrith have lost Nicky Burns to Northern League Barrow.

Furness took the Premier Division title by 27 points last term, ahead of Workington, who meet in the opener. The champs have re-signed superb Sri Lankan pro Ian Daniel.

But it’s believed he may be unavailable this week, while Workington will be without top batsman Callum Moffat for at least eight weeks after he broke his leg playing rugby union.

Carlisle’s long-time pro Sri Lankan prop Saliya Saman was due in England this week and will make the trip to Haverigg.

Colin Bickerstaffe, league secretary, said: “Furness will still be a strong team, and while Workington haven’t got a pro, if they play to form they’ll be up there, as will Penrith. I don’t think I will be far wrong picking those three.”

Egremont have accepted an invitation to move up to Division One after Duddon SC’s withdrawal from the league.

They will take over Duddon’s fixtures and also now play in the Sowerby Cup.

There will be only 11 teams in Division Two.

First published at 11:29, Thursday, 19 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk