Ribblesdale League: Nawaz turns up heat (10 Jul 1998)

10 July 1998

Nawaz turns up heat

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

SHAHID Nawaz's season has been simmering very nicely for some time - but it's about to reach boiling point.

With more than 600 runs to his credit - only one batsman has outscored him so far - the Ribblesdale Wanderers professional has all the credentials necessary to put table-topping Padiham to the ultimate test when they visit Church Meadow tomorrow.

And, if Wanderers can put the brakes on Padiham's Vaux Ribblesdale League championship challenge, it could give them a platform to launch their own title bid.

But Nawaz, who has also picked up 27 league wickets to go with his run spree, is not making too much of tomorrow's encounter, despite its obvious importance.

"It's just another game in which we will try to perform our best and hope to win," said the Wanderers professional.

"But you cannot predict anything in cricket.

"I am very happy with my own form at the moment but everybody in the team helps me out.

"There is a very good spirit in the team, everybody is working hard and we are just trying to win games."

Nawaz believes that team spirit has been a factor as Wanderers look eminently capable of improving on last season's eighth place. If they can reproduce last Saturday's form, when Nawaz had a half century and five wickets in a crushing win over Great Harwood, they should certainly be in contention for the Lancashire Cup places at least.

But Padiham's title challenge is a genuine one and they were easy winners when the sides met earlier this season.

"Obviously, they are a good team who have been winning games," added Nawaz.

"I am sure they will be doing their best to try to stay at the top and it should be a good game, especially if the weather improves.

"The weather has made it very difficult this season but I am enjoying my cricket and doing my best to perform for the club."

Champions Cherry Tree, waiting to pounce if Padiham slip up, are away to a Great Harwood side who must still be feeling the effects of last weekend's mauling at Church Meadow.

Tomorrow's games: Baxenden v Earby; Blackburn N v Whalley; Clitheroe v Read; Edenfield v Barnoldswick; Gt Harwood v Cherry Tree; Oswaldtwistle Imm v Settle; Ribblesdale W v Padiham.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)