Ten Cricketers who had a season to remember in 1999
CHRIS SCHOFIELD (Littleborough C.C., Lancashire C.C.C
25-Nov-1999
CHRIS SCHOFIELD (Littleborough C.C., Lancashire C.C.C. and England 'A')
Back in England after reputedly almost making his Test debut in Sydney,
Chris Schofield continued to play for Littleborough when not required by
Lancashire. His hundred in the Wood Cup final along with 900 league runs
showed his commitment to his Club was not diminished. After bowling in
tandem with Muttiah Muralitharan early in the season, leg-spinner Chris came
into his own towards the end, culminating in a place on the England 'A' tour
to Bangladesh and New Zealand.
JONATHAN FIELDING (Walshaw C.C.)
Originally with Ramsbottom, Jonathan Fielding spent four seasons on the
Lancashire staff before joining the professional ranks. Last year he was pro
at Clitheroe in the Ribblesdale League, moving to Walshaw in the Bolton
Association for this season. He did his new club proud, just missing out on
the double as he scored 975 runs and took 94 wickets with his left-arm spin.
Jonathan's contribution was a major factor in Walshaw capturing the league
title.
MATTHEW WALKER
(Ainsdale C.C.)
In a successful season for New Zealanders, Ainsdale's Kiwi all-rounder
Matthew Walker made Merseyside Competition history by becoming the first
player to do the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets. He started the last
match of the campaign needing 27 runs and two wickets to achieve his target
. By the time Matthew had finished with the opposition, Sutton St.Helens, he
had scored 124 and taken 5 for 39 to easily pass the milestones. Although
several players have scored 1000 runs in a season, his final tally of 103
wickets is the second best ever in the Merseyside Competition.
HELEN FRYER
(Neston C.C. and Cheshire)
Neston Cricket Club is proving to be a fertile breeding ground for talented
young cricketers, particularly girls. Hard on the heels of Sarah Collyer
comes 15-year-old all-rounder Helen Fryer. Helen played for Cheshire at
Under 17 and Senior level this season as well as for her own age group and
starred in all three teams. She won the Under 17 batting award, the Under 15
bowling award and was leading wicket taker for the senior team. Helen Fryer
is a name to look out for in the future.
SIMON STOKES
(Neston C.C., Cheshire U13s and Birkenhead School)
Simon Stokes is another product of the Neston youth policy and was their
Under 13 Player of the Year, a trophy whose first winner was Sarah Collyer.
For Cheshire, Simon won the Under 13 Batting award and turned in a some good
bowling performances. But it was as captain of Birkenhead School that Simon
really excelled, leading his team to victory in the national Calypso Schools
final against Millfield at Headingley, when he scored a magnificent 107. It
is believed that Simon is the youngest batsman ever to score a century at
Headingley.
NAVEED DIN
(Monton & Weaste C.C.)
Older brother of team-mate Nafees, Naveed Din had an outstanding all-round
season culminating in Monton & Weaste winning the Manchester Association
title and reaching the semi-finals of the L.C.B. Cup. Naveed has always been
a prolific scorer and this season was no different as he plundered the
opposition attacks to amass 1079 league and cup runs at an average of 56.79.
He also decimated several opposition batting line-ups as he took 73 wickets
at a cost of just 11.63 with the prodigious turn of his left arm spinners.
MARK LEATHLEY
(Hyde C.C. , Manchester G.S.
Cheshire U19s &England U19s)
Seam bowler Mark Leathley of Hyde C.C. and Manchester G.S. capped a fine
season with a call-up to play for England Under 19s against Australia at
Harrogate in August. He captained the Cheshire County League's Under 18s to
victory in the North West Colts Trophy and was named Young Player of the
Year by the County League, in addition to being named Under 19 Bowler of the
Year at Cheshire Youth Cricket's annual awards.
JOE SCUDERI
(Colne C.C. and Italy)
Lancashire have offered 30-year-old all-rounder Joe Scuderi a two year
contract subject to his registration being approved by the ECB. Joe was born
and brought up in South Australia of Italian parents and has an Italian
passport. He played for Italy on their recent UK tour and he is hoping to be
classified as an EU citizen and as such not an overseas player. Having
played in the Lancashire League since the age of 19, most recently for
Colne, for whom he scored 1000 runs and took 71 wickets, Joe is confident he
can succeed at first-class level.
JOHN OWEN
(Ockbrook & Borrowash C.C.)
In a season where Ockbrook swept the board in Derbyshire, there were several
outstanding individuals in an outstanding team. But the consistency of
former Derbyshire batsman Johnny Owen takes some beating. He passed fifty
fifteen times, twice going on to three figures and amassed 1206 runs in
total at an average of 86.14. In addition his professionalism showed through
in the high standard of his fielding as he took seventeen catches.
Derbyshire's loss was certainly Ockbrook & Borrowash's gain.
IAN WRIGGLESWORTH (Macclesfield C.C.)
Australian Ian Wrigglesworth had such a successful season in the Cheshire
County League that his club Macclesfield became known as 'Wrigglesfield' in
some quarters. The Victorian all-rounder scored over 1200 runs and took 70
wickets as his club achieved the League and Cup double. Ian himself did a
'double' of his own by being named Player of the Year to go with his cup
final Man of the Match award. He signed off in fine style, completing his
maiden Macclesfield century with the match-winning hit on the last day of
the season.