THE START of the 2013 Saddleworth & District Cricket League season looks set to be delayed due to the unseasonal wintery conditions.
Some grounds are still covered in snow with less than a fortnight to go before the scheduled start of the campaign on Sunday, April 21st.
And league officials are to make ground inspections the weekend before the season is due to start to make a ruling whether it starts on time.
Austerlands’ secretary Neil Cadd, described it as “bleak and desolate” at their ground, a situation which is replicated at most clubs.
“Nobody has been able to get on to the ground to do any work. It is not like football when you simply turn up and play and it takes time to prepare tracks,” he said.
After last season’s start to the season was put back because of wet weather, Neil favours beginning later.
He explained: “That is something I have advocated for a few years. The weather in usually better in September than April so why not start in the first week of May and finish in mid-September?
“That would give clubs a couple of extra weeks to prepare their grounds.”
As for the season itself, Bamford Fieldhouse are the defending champions and will again be a force.
Uppermill, champions in 2011 and runners-up last year, will be contenders with Darren Shadford staying as professional.
Moorside, who finished third last season, have a similar side with South African Stephan Grobler re-engaged as professional.
Austerlands, who finished next to bottom last season, are looking for improved fortunes as they have captured Imranullah Aslam who took 126 wickets for Uppermill in their 2011 title winning campaign and a couple of other experienced players are returning to the club.
Greenfield, who were mid-table last season, have engaged leading amateur Chris Gill as their professional for 2013.
Saddleworth have Peter Skuse as professional for a 16th year, but has lost Qasar Rashid and Lew Adair who between them totalled over 1,000 runs last season.
Secretary Graham Oldham says their departures will give a couple of the older juniors the chance to step up into the first team.
It looks like being another struggle for Friarmere, whose future was under threat 12 months ago due to a shortage of players, following the departure of 15 players.
“It is like taking one step forward and three back and we are in exactly the same position as last year,” explained chairman John Morris.
Any players looking for a club can contact Mr Morris on 01457 873874.
