Uppermill cricketer Cec Wright, still playing aged 82, will be a key figure in the launch of the Pennine Cricket League today, Saturday April 23.
Cec will be bowling the first over in the new league that was formed after a merger of the CLL and Saddleworth League.
He will deliver three balls each to Tom Lees and Keelan Shipley, the Oldham and Rochdale town team under-13 captains.
“We wanted it to involve the league’s oldest player and two of its youngest ones,” explained league chairman Nigel Tench.
The inaugural match of the new league involves Saddleworth and Norden, the last ever champions of the former leagues.
The game takes place at Milnrow with wickets pitched at 1pm but the official launch at Ladyhouse will begin at 12.40pm with the Mayor of Rochdale cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
The first round of fixtures in the Pennine Cricket League begin on Sunday.
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We are mounting an exhibition at Old Trafford of West Indians in the Lancashire Leagues. We would like to feature Cec Wright and could you send us the pictures you used in the Newspaper. The pictures are going to be used in the Long Room in the Pavilion. We re hoping to ask Cec Wright to open the exhibition in July . Good resolutions on e.mail would be fine.
maxcricket@btinternet.com
Malcolm Lorimer
Heritage Team Lancashire CCC