Wright’s men face acid test

LUKE PROCTER . . . stand-in pro.

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CRICKET: AFTER what skipper Simon Wright has described as a “perfect start” to their Lake Garage Championship campaign, Crompton face the acid test.

Cock-a-hoop after three maximum-points wins and a wash-out in their four fixtures so far, Crompton are second in the table with games in hand on everyone else. Victory at leaders Radcliffe tomorrow would put them at the top.

But they must achieve that goal without Danny Taylor, whose bowling this season has been a revelation. Taylor, who took seven for 28 in last Sunday’s demolition of Heyside, has work commitments.

Wright said: “Danny has been bowling really well this season. We had such a strong attack last year that Danny wasn’t guaranteed a regular bowl, so he spent a lot of time in the second team. It’s a massive blow to be without him tomorrow, but we have to get on with it.”

Taylor’s absence will surely mean more bowling action from the skipper, despite a tight hamstring.

And Wright will also be looking to professional Josh Tolley to continue in his rich run-scoring vein.

A ton and two half-centuries in his three knocks so far have given Tolley a sensational average of 228 and Wright puts that down to the batsman adopting a more selfish approach.

“We want Josh to bat the whole 50 overs if possible and if he does he is sure to get a decent score,” said Wright.

Tolley is unavailable for Sunday’s JW Lees Bitter Tom Hardman Twenty20 Competition group match against Middleton because of his commitments to Cumberland. In will step former Royton paid man Luke Procter, the Lancashire CCC all-rounder.

Sunday also sees two of our local sides in action in the preliminary round of the JW Lees Bitter Wood Cup. Royton and Werneth have drawn the short straw, Royton hosting Milnrow and Werneth facing a trip to Monton and Weaste.

Tomorrow’s league programme sees Royton host reigning champions Norden in the Premier Division, while in the Championship, Heyside are at Ashton and Werneth host CLL new boys Elton. Oldham have an open date.

twitter: @KeithMcHughOC]\