Ladhill Lane all set for big-hitters

Austerlands v Royton (batting). Austerlands Dieter Klein bowls

THE traditional Whit Friday derby tussle between Greenfield and Saddleworth is no more with the introduction of the JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League .

But tomorrow a host of international talent will converge on Ladhill Lane for a special 30-overs-per-side clash.

‘Gilly’s Giants’ ­— led by Greenfield skipper Chris Gill ­— will take on ‘Mr Tickle’s Titans’, captained by Gill’s Greenfield team-mate Alex Peters.

Professionals and overseas amateurs from the PCL and beyond are set to wield the willow in what is sure to be an explosive afternoon of action.

Greenfield’s paid man, Australian James Muirhead, and overseas amateur Alex Bychkov are among the players on show.

Rochdale’s paid man Will Bosisto, who stars for Perth Scorchers and Australia under-19s back home, is also expected to line up, along with a couple of Namibians, Christi Viljoen and Xander Pitcher.

Other representatives from the PCL, include overseas amateurs CJ Ferreira (Austerlands), Girvacques De Jager (Uppermill) and Thomas Mashiane (Moorside).

New Zealanders Henry Cooper (Broad Oak) and Peter Bocock (Lascelles Hall), who play in the Drakes Huddersfield League, will be making the short hop over the Pennines to take part.

The match gets under way at 2.30pm. There will be a barbeque, raffle and a three-stump-challenge for spectators.

Meanwhile, Austerlands had to call on a stand-in professional for last Saturday’s PCL Premiership fixture at home to Royton.

With paid man Sachin Rana having to fulfil club duties in Bangladesh, the Uber Street club were forced to scour the local leagues for a replacement.

They turned to Dieter Klein, from Lowerhouse in the Lancashire League, and the left-hand seamer bowler bagged four wickets, ripping out Royton’s middle-order.

However, the South African was unable to inspire Austerlands to victory as the Paddock side, without skipper Denny Hulme and strike bowler Adam Good because of other commitments, won easily.

Austerlands are waiting to hear whether Rana will be available for Saturday’s league game away to Walsden.